A former Orchard Valley Middle School teacher charged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student has been denied pre-trial release.
Ashley A. Fisler – who is 36 and a township resident – appeared via video at an April 2 detention hearing before Superior Court Judge William F. Ziegler in the Salem County Correctional Facility. The judge acknowledged factors leading to his decision, including that the social studies teacher was “able to surreptitiously keep this relationship between herself and victim private.”
“She kept the relationship from her husband, other people and all others, and continued this relationship knowing his precise age,” Ziegler said.
Ziegler said the state has a “seemingly strong case,” with testimony and statements from the victim, a former student. He expressed concern that “a person who has maintained and allegedly groomed a boy over a period of at least five years could have a substantial influence over him.”
Fisler was arrested on March 26 and faces eight charges, including sexual assault of a minor; endangering the welfare of a child; and official misconduct of a public servant, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns stated in a press release.
According to documents, the unidentified victim – now an adult – disclosed in January of 2023 an unlawful sexual relationship with Fisler while the victim was still a minor and Fisler’s student at Orchard Valley. The victim described multiple sexual encounters occurring in 2021 in Fisler’s vehicle and in her classroom.
Subsequent investigation revealed text messages between Fisler and the victim confirming the unlawful nature of their relationship. Fisler is no longer employed anywhere as a teacher. During a hearing on April 1, it was revealed that investigators recovered approximately 7,500 pages of text messages between the victim and Fisler, some as recent as January of this year.
Superintendent Eric Hibbs said the district is aware of the charges against Fisler.
“We take matters involving the safety and well-being of our students extremely seriously,” he said in a statement. “The individual referenced is no longer employed by the district and separated from employment in April 2023.”
Fisler has been charged with six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second- degree official misconduct. The maximum sentence for the offenses is 20 years in state prison for each of the first-degree charges, and 10 years for each of the second-degree charges.
A pre-indictment conference is scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
