Teacher fired after casino arrest

A Middle Township Middle School computer teacher was fired last month after police arrested her in connection with a robbery at an Atlantic City casino hotel.

Amanda Crafts, 35, was detained on Oct. 9 alongside Veda Engel, 23. Police stated that a male victim met the two women at a resort bar before entering their room. The men reported that the pair stripped him and restrained him to the bed. Engel then forced sexual acts on the victim.

During the encounter, Engel used the victim's facial recognition feature to unlock his smartphone. She completed four Apple Pay transactions totaling $1,250 to her account. The complaint described the transfer as occurring without consent in exchange for sexual acts. Engel stated, “That’s what you get for $1,250,” according to court records.

Crafts appeared before Judge Timothy Maguire via video from the Atlantic County Justice Facility. She identified herself as a teacher with no prior arrests. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she told the court. She also noted that she has four children and works in the school’s special area department.

The school district confirmed the termination in a statement issued on Oct. 19. Superintendent Stephanie DeRose said the district’s responsibility is to protect students and ensure employees meet expected standards. “The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” DeRose said.

Engel, who works for a commercial cleaning company in Ocean City, has a history of similar charges. Last December, she allegedly offered an undercover state police detective sex for $1,000 at the Borgata Hotel Casino. She was released on a summons for that incident. Both women were released from custody on Oct. 15. They must check in with the court every other week.