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Franklin Township Teacher, Coach Arrested for Sexual Assault

Franklin Township (Somerset)

Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Matthew J. Rennie, 30, of Ringoes, in relation to sexual assault incidents that occurred between July 2021 and September 2021 in the Township of Montgomery and the Township of East Amwell (Hunterdon County).  

Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson stated that on October 6, a 17-year-old female victim reported to Franklin Township Police that she was sexually assaulted by teacher/coach Matthew Rennie, who is employed at a private educational institution in Franklin Township.

According to Prosecutor Robertson, the victim was interviewed by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and Franklin Township Police Department.  

As a result of this investigation, the victim disclosed incidents that occurred in Montgomery Township and East Amwell Township (Hunterdon County) from July 2021 to September 2021.   

As a result of this investigation, Matthew Rennie was arrested on October 6 by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Montgomery Township Police Department at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office without incident. 

The investigation determined that Ranait Griff, 30, of Brooklyn, NY, a female teacher/coach at the same school, was aware of the sexual relationship. 

According to Prosecutor Robertson, Griff was arrested by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department without incident at the Franklin Township Police Department.   

Prosecutor Robertson stated that Rennie was charged with Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  Rennie was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Griff was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Griff was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Somerset County officials request anyone with information relating to the sexual assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit (908) 231-7100 or the Montgomery Township Police Department at (908) 359-3222.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). 

All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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