BCPO News

Scott A. Coffina, Prosecutor

Philip Aronow Darren Anderson
First Assistant Prosecutor Chief of Detectives

Joel Bewley
BCPO Public Information Officer
jbewley@co.burlington.nj.us
Desk: 609-265-5777
Cell: 609-820-4407

May 31, 2017

School Teacher Charged With Making Upskirt Videos of Female Students

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Medford Township Police
Chief Richard Meder announced today that a Lenape High School teacher has been arrested for
capturing upskirt videos and photos of female students in his classroom and the school’s hallways.

Eric Howell, 43, of the first block of Dogwood Court in Maple Shade, was charged with two counts
of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree), one count of Official Misconduct (Second
Degree) and four counts of Invasion of Privacy (Third Degree).

The investigation revealed that Howell concealed a camera in a coconut water box that was then
placed in the side portion of his briefcase. He would unscrew the cap of the box in his briefcase,
walk in close proximity to female students and carry his bag in a manner that allowed his camera
to see up their skirts or loose-fitting shorts.

Howell’s behavior was brought to the attention of the school administration on May 2 by an
individual who observed him passing behind a female student and extending his arm sideways in
an attempt to position the camera under her skirt.

The school administration contacted police after receiving the information and immediately banned
Howell from school property and school events. School officials have been fully cooperative with
law enforcement during the investigation.

The charges filed to date against Howell represent offenses against three students, one of whom
was targeted on more than one occasion. He was also charged with making an upskirt recording
at a convenience store.

The investigation into Howell’s criminal activity is ongoing. A search warrant executed at his
residence resulted in the seizure of multiple digital storage devices that are being analyzed by the
Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit.

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Howell has been a chemistry teacher at the school since 2016. He was taken into custody today at
the Medford Township Police Department and lodged in the Burlington County Jail pending a first
appearance in Superior Court tomorrow.

The charges will be presented to a grand jury in the near future for possible indictment. The case
will be prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Eife, the supervisor of the
BCPO Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit.

The case was investigated by detectives from Medford Township Police Department and the
Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation was led by Medford Police Department Det. Nicole Fellona
and BCPO Det. Matthew Delgado of the BCPO Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit.

END

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