An administrator at Elysian Charter School in Hoboken was arrested yesterday and charged with the sexual assault of several underage boys, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday.
John Mercado, 52, of Jersey City, served as an administrative assistant at the school, according to his LinkedIn profile. The profile lists various duties he performed at the school, including athletic director and middle school guidance counselor.
He had also worked in leagues in Jersey City as a coach.
Mercado allegedly molested seven underage boys, according to the prosecutor’s office. He was charged with multiple accounts of aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault by contact, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and child abuse, officials said.
Elysian Charter notified parents of the arrest early on Monday, according to WABC.
“The news that has come out today about a member of our Elysian community is truly shocking and disturbing,” commented Elysian Director Harry Laub Ph. D. “The entire Elysian staff will be working sensitively with the children and we have counselors available to talk with the children and answer any questions as needed. We ask the Hoboken community to please support our students, staff and families while we recover from this very difficult situation.”
The school was scheduled to hold a meeting for the school community on Tuesday night.
Bail for Mercado was set at $300,000. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information that might be helpful to police is urged to call (201) 915-1234. – Dean DeChiaro
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