The Memorial High School girls’ varsity basketball coach in West New York has been charged with entering the girls’ locker room, as well as sending inappropriate messages on social media, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Ariel Alava, 41, of West New York, is charged with one count of fourth-degree attempted invasion of privacy and three counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Suarez said in a statement.
He was arrested at his residence in West New York and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
A preliminary investigation determined Alava entered the girls’ locker room following a game played in Jersey City on January 27th, 2022.
Two 15-year-old female Memorial High School students, as well as a former 17-year-old female student, also reported receiving inappropriate messages on social media from Alava on various dates between August and October 2022.
Alava, who was employed as a paraprofessional with the West New York Board of Education, has since been removed from his position with the district.
He had worked at the district since September 2015 and earned a salary of $34,344, according to public records.
Suarez credited the Special Victims Unit with the arrest and investigation.
Anyone wishing to report a sex crime should call the HCPO SVU at 201-915-1234.
