A New Jersey middle school computer teacher was arrested in connection with an alleged prostitution-related robbery at an Atlantic City casino hotel on Oct. 9, 2026. Police say a man was restrained in a hotel room, subjected to sexual acts and had $1,250 transferred from his phone without consent. The teacher, Amanda Crafts, and Veda Engel were later released pending further court proceedings. Crafts was fired from Middle Township Middle School after the district learned of the arrest.
| 1) | Arrests follow an alleged Atlantic City hotel incident |
| 2) | Police describe the alleged restraint and payment |
| 3) | Teacher’s employment ends after the arrest |
| 4) | Second suspect faces allegations and prior charges |
| 5) | Both defendants are released before trial |
Arrests follow an alleged Atlantic City hotel incident
The case centers on an alleged Oct. 9 incident at a casino hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. According to police accounts described in court affidavits, the victim met the two women at a hotel bar before exchanging phone numbers with Engel. He later went to the women’s room, where the alleged robbery took place.
Crafts, 35, of Wildwood Crest, and Engel, 23, of Cape May, were charged in connection with the incident. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings, and an arrest is not a finding of guilt. The case was investigated through statements from the alleged victim and information documented by detectives.
Police describe the alleged restraint and payment
The alleged victim told investigators that the women removed his clothing and physically restrained him to a bed. Police say Engel then forced sexual acts on him and referred to a payment of $1,250. While Crafts allegedly held the man down, Engel reportedly used facial recognition to unlock his phone.
Investigators allege that four separate Apple Pay transactions totaling $1,250 were made to Engel’s account. The victim said the transactions were completed without his consent and were connected to the alleged sexual acts. The details were presented through affidavits and reports cited in the case.
“That’s what you get for $1,250,” Engel allegedly said, according to the complaint.
Teacher’s employment ends after the arrest
Crafts worked as a computer teacher in the special-area department at Middle Township Middle School. The district acknowledged the arrest in a community message issued Oct. 19 and said her employment had ended. The school district did not indicate that the alleged incident involved students or school property.
During her first court appearance, Crafts said she was a teacher and had never been arrested. She also said she has four children. Speaking by video from the Atlantic County Justice Facility, she told Judge Timothy Maguire that she was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Our responsibility is to protect our students, follow appropriate procedures, and ensure that those entrusted with caring for and educating our children meet the standards expected of them,” Superintendent Stephanie DeRose said.
Second suspect faces allegations and prior charges
Engel, who works for a commercial cleaning company in Ocean City, was also charged in the Oct. 9 case, according to information provided by her attorney. Her alleged role, as described by investigators, included the sexual acts and the disputed electronic payments.
Engel has also faced earlier prostitution-related allegations. In a separate case last year, she reportedly offered sex for $1,000 to an undercover New Jersey State Police detective at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. She was reportedly released on a summons in that matter. The earlier allegation is separate from the current charges.
Both defendants are released before trial
Crafts and Engel were released on Oct. 15 after being held for nearly a week. The state agreed to their pretrial release, which requires both women to check in with the court every other week.
The release conditions allow the case to proceed while prosecutors and defense attorneys address the allegations in court. No trial outcome was reported in the available account. The defendants retain the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two women were charged after an alleged Oct. 9 incident at an Atlantic City casino hotel. |
| 2 | Police allege the victim was restrained and that $1,250 was transferred through Apple Pay. |
| 3 | Crafts was fired from Middle Township Middle School after the arrest. |
| 4 | Engel has faced a separate prior prostitution-related allegation. |
| 5 | Both defendants were released Oct. 15 with biweekly court check-in requirements. |
Summary
The allegations involve an Atlantic City hotel encounter that investigators say escalated into restraint, forced sexual acts and unauthorized electronic payments. The arrest of a school employee prompted Middle Township Public Schools to terminate Crafts’ employment and reiterate its focus on student safety. Both defendants have been released while the criminal case continues, and the allegations have not been resolved in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the case?
Amanda Crafts, 35, and Veda Engel, 23, were arrested and charged in connection with the alleged Oct. 9 incident at an Atlantic City casino hotel.
What do police allege happened?
Police allege that a man was restrained in a hotel room, subjected to sexual acts and had $1,250 transferred through four Apple Pay transactions without his consent.
What happened to Crafts’ school employment?
Middle Township Public Schools said Crafts was fired after the district learned of her arrest.
What are the defendants’ current release conditions?
Both women were released Oct. 15 after the state consented to pretrial release. They are required to check in with the court every other week.
