School district fires computer teacher arrested in casino hotel robbery

Middle Township Middle School dismissed a computer teacher on Oct. 19 after she was arrested in connection with a robbery at an Atlantic City hotel resort.

Amanda Crafts, 35, of Wildwood Crest, and Veda Engel, 23, of Cape May, were charged with incidents that occurred on Oct. 9. Police stated the victim met the two women at a bar within the hotel before following them to a guest room.

According to the complaint, the women stripped the victim and pinned him to the bed. Engel performed sexual acts on him before stopping to say, “That’s what you get for $1,250.”

Crafts held the victim down while Engel used his facial recognition to unlock his phone. She completed four Apple Pay transfers totaling $1,250 to her account. A detective noted in the affidavit that the transactions were made without consent.

During a video appearance from the Atlantic County Justice Facility, Crafts told Judge Timothy Maguire she had no prior arrests and has four children. She stated, “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Superintendent Stephanie DeRose confirmed the termination in a district statement released on Oct. 19. She said the district’s responsibility is to protect students and ensure staff meet expected standards. The school’s website lists Crafts in the special area department.

Engel, who works in commercial cleaning in Ocean City, faces prior prostitution-related charges. Last year, she was released on a summons after allegedly offering an undercover detective sex for $1,000 at the Borgata. Both women were released on Oct. 15 after being held for nearly a week. They must check in with the court every other week.