A local sportscaster accused of inappropriate behavior with several students while teaching at an Atlantic County high school was sentenced to probation, BreakingAC has learned.
Pete Thompson, now 53, of Galloway Township, faced 11 counts including criminal sexual contact, endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct, when he was arrested Oct. 18, 2022.
The one-time sports anchor for the now-shuttered NBC40 was working as a media and television production teacher at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing when the alleged incidents occurred during the 2021-.2022 school year.
He was fired from the school after an investigation into one student’s claims found at least four others with similar experiences, according to the charges.
Five girls came forward about incidents that included alleged touching and comments about their bodies and sex lives. The youngest girl was 14 at the time.
They alleged he would rub their legs, say inappropriate things and even took at least one picture of a girl bent over her desk without her knowledge. That photo of a then-17-year-old girl was among several found on Thompson's cell phone, according to the affidavit previously reported by BreakingAC.
“What do I always tell you guys? Don’t get me f—ing fired,” he allegedly told another 17-year-old on Feb. 14, 2022. “I’m about to hit my tenure mark.”
Now, he will never teach again, as part of his plea agreement.
Thompson pleaded guilty to five of the 11 counts on March 5. All were amended to disorderly persons offenses, which still could have come with a maximum prison sentence of five years, according to the plea packet obtained by BreakingAC.
The second-degree charge of official misconduct was among six counts dropped under the agreement.
Thompson was sentenced the day of his plea to two years' probation.
He cannot have contact with the victims. The sentence was not under Megan's Law, so he will not be required to register as a sex offender.
A local sportscaster allegedly inappropriately touched students, made sexual comments about their bodies and sent emails, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Pete Thompson, 51, of Galloway Township, is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on 11 counts including criminal sexual contact, endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct.
Five girls have come forward about the alleged incidents, including one who was 14 years old.
