A former Livingston-area wrestling coach faces six criminal charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday, Aug. 26.

John Kane, 39, of Sparta, was charged with four counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to the prosecutor's office. Kane allegedly drove the teen to the parking lot at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (formerly St. Barnabas Medical Center) in Livingston on April 26, where prosecutors allege the assault occurred.

The investigation began after the teen reported the allegations to police on May 13.

Kane served as head coach of the varsity wrestling program at Newark Academy's Livingston campus during the 2025–26 school year, NJ.com reported. The victim is not a Newark Academy student, prosecutors said.

Kane was also previously involved with the Livingston Youth Wrestling Program, the West Essex Regional School District, the Township of Livingston and The Work Family Connection, an after-school program serving Morris, Warren, Union, Somerset and Hunterdon counties, according to the prosecutor's office. None of those organizations have issued public statements in response to the charges.

Newark Academy told Patch that Kane had not been employed by the school since earlier in the summer, before charges were announced. The school said it conducted background and reference checks before hiring Kane and received no complaints during his tenure.

"While this matter did not involve a Newark Academy student nor did it happen on campus grounds, we take this matter very seriously," Dr. Renée Walker, Newark Academy's director of communications and marketing, said in a statement.

Investigative affidavits, as reported by NJ 101.5, indicate Kane allegedly first contacted the teen through the dating app Grindr and later moved their conversation to Snapchat. Kane was allegedly driving a blue SUV with a Livingston wrestling sticker when he picked up the victim and allegedly offered the teen vape products inside the vehicle before the alleged assault.

The teen's mother discovered a Snapchat message from Kane on May 7, approximately 11 days after the alleged assault, according to details reported by NJ 101.5. She responded through the account and preserved a screenshot that became part of the investigation.

Kane was a four-year varsity wrestler at Livingston High School and was both a district and regional champion as a senior, according to NJ.com.

Under New Jersey law, each second-degree sexual assault count carries five to 10 years in state prison. Each third-degree endangering charge carries a potential three-to-five-year sentence. A conviction on the sexual assault counts would also trigger mandatory lifetime sex offender registration under Megan's Law.

These are accusations. Kane is presumed innocent unless and until he enters a guilty plea or is found guilty in a court of law. NJ.com reported that attorney information for Kane was not available as of Aug. 26 and that Kane did not respond to a message left on his cellphone. No arraignment date, bail status or custody status has been publicly reported.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC (1-877-847-7432). All calls will remain confidential.