Lenape HS teacher allegedly upskirted teens in class, halls

A Lenape High School chemistry teacher, barred from school grounds since the beginning of May, is arrested, for allegedly taking upskirt photos and videos of coeds in classrooms and hallways.

Eric Howell, 43, of Maple Shade, faces two second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one second-degree charge of official misconduct, and four third-degree counts if invasion of privacy.

A spokesman for Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina says that the charges reflect allegations involving three students, and that one of the three was targeted more than once, adding that the investigation is still open.

Howell, employed in the district since 2016, is also accused of recording salacious video footage in a convenience store. He was apprehended in Medford Township police headquarters Wednesday, and placed in the Burlington County Jail until his scheduled court appearance Thursday.

According to investigators, school administrators took steps to prevent Howell from entering the school May 2, after an individual reported to them of seeing Howell pass a female student and extend his arm sideways to position the device beneath her skirt. The Prosecutor's Office added that school officials have cooperated fully.

Detectives determined that Howell hid a camera in a coconut water box in the side section of his briefcase. He allegedly would remove the box's cap in the briefcase, walk near girls, and carry the bag in a position that would allow him to record images beneath skirts or loose shorts.

A warrant search of Howell's house produced multiple digital storage devices that are now under analysis by members of the Prosecutor's High-Tech Crimes Unit, authorities said.

Assistant County Prosecutor Steve Eife is appointed to lead the impending presentation to a grand jury. Officials did not disclose whether Howell has retained an attorney.

The investigation was led by Medford PD Detective Nicole Fellona and Detective Matthew Delgado of hte Prosecutor's Sexual Assault-Child Abuse Unit.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.