Who Is John Kane? Newark Academy Wrestling Coach Arrest

John Kane is a 39-year-old New Jersey wrestling coach from Sparta who has been charged with four counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Essex County prosecutors allege Kane met a 15-year-old through Grindr, later communicated with the teenager on Snapchat, drove the teen to a hospital parking lot in Livingston and sexually assaulted him there. Kane previously served as the varsity wrestling head coach at Newark Academy, but the school says the alleged victim was not a Newark Academy student and that Kane’s employment ended earlier in the summer of 2026. The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court. [Essex County Prosecutor] [NJ 101.5]

John Kane Charges

Kane Faces Six Criminal Charges. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced on August 26, 2026, that Kane had been charged with four counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. NJ 101.5 reported that the sexual-assault counts are second-degree offenses and the child-endangerment counts are third-degree offenses. [Essex County Prosecutor] [NJ 101.5]

The Alleged Victim Was 15 Years Old. Prosecutors say the case involves a 15-year-old who was not a student at Newark Academy. [Essex County Prosecutor]

Grindr And Snapchat Allegations

Investigators Say Kane Met The Teen Through Grindr. According to an investigative affidavit reported by NJ 101.5, Kane first communicated with the teenager through Grindr before the conversation moved to Snapchat. [NJ 101.5]

Kane Allegedly Continued Communicating With The Teen On Snapchat. Investigators say the two exchanged messages after initially connecting through Grindr. The messages later became part of the police investigation. [NJ 101.5]

Alleged April 26 Assault

Prosecutors Say Kane Picked Up The Teen On April 26, 2026. The complaint alleges Kane transported the teenager in his vehicle to a parking lot at St. Barnabas Medical Center, now known as Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, in Livingston. [Essex County Prosecutor] [NJ 101.5]

The Vehicle Was Allegedly A Blue SUV With A Livingston Wrestling Sticker. The investigative affidavit described the vehicle Kane allegedly used to pick up the teen as a blue SUV bearing a Livingston wrestling sticker. [NJ 101.5]

Kane Allegedly Offered The Teen Vape Products. According to the affidavit, Kane parked at the hospital and offered the teenager vape products before allegedly moving into the back seat. [NJ 101.5]

The Teen Accused Kane Of Sexual Assault In The Vehicle. Investigators allege Kane made sexual advances and forced the teenager to engage in oral sexual activity. These claims are allegations contained in the criminal case and have not been proven in court. [NJ 101.5]

The Teen Asked Kane To Drive Him Home Afterward. According to the investigative affidavit, the alleged victim asked Kane to take him home following the encounter. [NJ 101.5]

Teen’s Mother Sees Snapchat Message

The Teen’s Mother Allegedly Discovered A Message From Kane On May 7. NJ 101.5 reported that the victim’s mother saw a Snapchat message from Kane approximately 11 days after the alleged assault. [NJ 101.5]

She Responded And Took A Screenshot. According to the affidavit, the mother responded through the account and preserved a screenshot of Kane’s response. That material later became part of the investigation. [NJ 101.5]

The Teen Reported The Allegations To Police On May 13. Investigators say the 15-year-old gave a statement to law enforcement several weeks after the alleged April 26 encounter. [NJ 101.5]

How Police Identified John Kane

A Detective Reportedly Recognized Kane. During the investigation, a detective examining a photograph provided by the teenager recognized Kane as someone who had also graduated from Livingston High School. [NJ 101.5]

That Identification Helped Investigators Connect Kane To The Online Account. Police subsequently developed the case that resulted in the six charges announced by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. [NJ 101.5] [Essex County Prosecutor]

John Kane At Newark Academy

Kane Was Newark Academy’s Varsity Wrestling Head Coach. The private college-preparatory school in Livingston announced Kane as its new varsity wrestling head coach for the 2025-26 season. [Newark Academy]

Kane Had Previously Been An Assistant Coach At Newark Academy. Before becoming head coach, Kane served as an assistant with the school’s wrestling program. [Newark Academy]

His First Season As Head Coach Was The 2025-26 School Year. Newark Academy described Kane as taking over the program during the winter 2025-26 wrestling season. [Newark Academy]

Kane’s Employment Ended Before The Charges Were Announced. Newark Academy told news outlets that Kane had not worked for the school since earlier in the summer of 2026. [News 12] [Patch]

Newark Academy Response

The School Said The Alleged Victim Was Not One Of Its Students. Newark Academy emphasized that the teenager identified in the criminal case did not attend the school. [News 12]

The Alleged Assault Did Not Occur On Newark Academy’s Campus. The school said the conduct alleged by prosecutors occurred away from school property. [News 12]

Newark Academy Said It Conducted Background And Reference Checks Before Hiring Kane. A school spokesperson said its normal screening procedures were followed and that administrators did not receive complaints about Kane during his brief tenure. [Patch]

John Kane Wrestling Background

Kane Wrestled At Livingston High School. Newark Academy said Kane was a four-year varsity wrestler at Livingston High School. [Newark Academy]

He Was A District And Region Wrestling Champion. According to the school’s biography of Kane, he won both district and regional honors during his senior year. [Newark Academy]

Kane Is A Certified Wrestling Official. Newark Academy described him as certified to officiate both high-school and college wrestling. [Newark Academy]

Livingston Youth Wrestling Program

Kane Previously Led The Livingston Youth Wrestling Program. Newark Academy said he took over the youth program after college and helped expand participation. [Newark Academy]

Participation Reportedly More Than Doubled During His Tenure. The school said enrollment grew from approximately 30 wrestlers to more than 60 while Kane led the program. [Newark Academy]

Kane’s Other Work With Children

Prosecutors Say Kane Was Previously Connected To Several Other Youth Organizations. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office identified Kane as having previously been involved with the Livingston Youth Wrestling Program, West Essex Regional School District and Township of Livingston. [Essex County Prosecutor]

Kane Was Also Connected To The Work Family Connection. Prosecutors identified him as previously involved with The Work Family Connection, an after-school organization serving communities in Morris, Warren, Union, Somerset and Hunterdon counties. [Essex County Prosecutor]

Investigation Remains Open

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Says The Investigation Is Continuing. Authorities have not indicated that the criminal investigation ended with the initial six charges. [Essex County Prosecutor]

Investigators Are Asking Anyone With Additional Information To Contact Them. The prosecutor’s office has asked people with relevant information to call its confidential tips line at 1-877-847-7432. [Essex County Prosecutor]

Case Status

Kane Has Been Charged But Not Convicted. As of August 29, 2026, the publicly announced case consists of four sexual-assault counts and two child-endangerment counts. The allegations remain pending and Kane is presumed innocent unless he pleads guilty or is convicted at trial. [Essex County Prosecutor]

Public Reporting Has Not Yet Established A Final Case Disposition. No guilty plea, trial verdict or dismissal has been publicly reported in the newly filed case.