18-07-2025
Dr. William Mennies Elementary School teacher faces child-porn charges
An elementary school teacher has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.
James Adams, 50, of Washington Township was arrested during a raid at his home the morning of June 26, the prosecutor's office said.
Adams is a teacher at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland. The school has approximately 565 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.
The Vineland school district noted Adams' arrest in a post at its Facebook page.
"The safety and well‑being of our students and staff remain our highest priority," it said. "We are fully cooperating with authorities and will adhere to all legal and policy requirements throughout this process."
A school district representative could not be reached for comment on Adams' employment status.
An investigation is ongoing. The prosecutor's office asked anyone with information to call its high-tech crimes unit at 856-384-5524.
The arrest June 26 came after social media messages that contained alleged images of child sexual abuse were traced to the teacher's home.
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"Adams also gave a statement to detectives admitting to receiving (child sexual abuse material) over social media," the prosecutor's office said.
He is being held in Salem County Jail, pending a court appearance.
Adams has been enrolled in a state pension program for teachers since 2004, online records show. They put his annual salary at approximately $73,000 at year-end 2021.
He is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child through possession and distribution of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials, the prosecutor's office said.
The charges are only allegations. Adams has not been convicted in the case.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: James Adams of Washington Township is charged with child-porn crimes
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