A 36-year-old former middle school teacher from Washington Township has been indicted on new charges, including manufacturing child sexual abuse material and sexual assault of a minor.
Ashley Fisler, who faces a 12-count indictment, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a former student while she was his teacher at Orchard Valley Middle School. Prosecutors claim the alleged victim, now an adult, described multiple sexual encounters that took place in Fisler's vehicle and classroom in 2021.
According to investigators, thousands of text messages exchanged between Fisler and the victim allegedly demonstrated the unlawful nature of the relationship. In some of the messages, the victim described how the teacher left him mentally broken.
Fisler was initially arrested in March and charged with six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, as well as other crimes. A superseding indictment has added charges of manufacturing child sexual abuse material, possession of child sexual abuse material, and distribution of obscenity to a minor.
If convicted, Fisler could face significant prison time. First-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years, while second-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. Third-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of five years.
Fisler taught social studies in the Washington Township school district from 2014 until June 2023, but is no longer employed by the district or any other school district, according to officials.
The case has sparked concerns about the safety and well-being of students, and the accountability of educators who abuse their positions of trust.
