Katie Park

@kathspark

HOWELL - A Howell man was charged with sexually assaulting a relative more than once, dating back 10 years, according to a criminal complaint.

Joseph "Joe" Prioli, 48, was arrested Dec. 30 and compelled to appear in court Jan. 3 for orally and digitally penetrating a victim who was over the age of 13 but under 16 "on various dates," according to the complaint.

The alleged abuse began Jan. 1, 2007. The complaint did not state when the reported sexual assault ended.

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Prioli is charged with committing aggravated criminal sexual contact of a minor older than 13 but younger than 16, committing aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

Howell police did not respond to who was representing Prioli by press time.

Prioli was a teacher at Christian Brothers Academy, a private, all-boys school in Middletown, for around 15 years but resigned a year ago to pursue other work options, ​Brother Frank Byrne, Christian Brothers Academy President, told the Press Thursday.

Byrne said Prioli was at one point the director of technology for the Academy but eventually took on a smaller role as a technology teacher until he left the school.

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Byrne, an eight-year Academy employee, said there were no reports of alleged criminal wrongdoing at the school during Prioli's tenure.

A phone line for the Prioli's home, obtained through public records, was disconnected.

According to inmate records Thursday afternoon, Prioli was booked in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Katie Park: 908-801-4853; kpark@gannettnj.com