A physical education teacher at Hammonton High School in Atlantic County was arrested last week on charges of official misconduct and sexual assault and contact involving three male students.

Traci J. Tapp, 28, of Leon Court in Atco, Camden County, posted $25,000 bail and was released Friday after her arrest Sept. 7.

Tapp has been an employee at the Atlantic County school since January 2001, and was suspended with pay in March after the mother of one of the students brought allegations to the attention of school officials, according to Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz.

Tapp is accused of fondling a 17-year-old in 2001 after inviting him into her office in the girls' locker room, having sexual contact with another 17-year-old at her home in 2001, and having sex with a 16-year-old at her home in 2003, according to the prosecutor.

She is charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact, and three counts of official misconduct.

Her attorney, Robert N. Agre of Haddonfield, could not be reached for comment.


Tapp was charged after a joint investigation by the prosecutor's Crimes Against Children Unit and the Hammonton Police Department. Tapp was arrested at her home.