Allegedly abusing his position as an educator to commit a lewd act lands a former Lenape High School Chemistry Teacher in jail for taking up-skirt videos of female students.

Burlington County Prosecutors say 44-year old Eric T. Howell of Dogwood Court in Maple Shade would wander through the hallways and his classroom last year and take photos and videos underneath girls skirts through a camera he hid in a coconut water box placed on the side of his briefcase.

Investigators say he would unscrew the cap, walk in close proximity to female students and carry his briefcase in a manner that allowed the camera to point up their skirts or loose-fitting shorts.

He was suspended last year when someone noticed an apparent attempt to position his briefcase beneath a student's skirt.

Howell, hired as a chemistry teacher in 2016 was suspended by the school May 2 of 2017, the same day his alleged lewd behavior was brought to the attention of school officials who then contacted police.

School officials were fully cooperative with law enforcement.

The investigation revealed that Howell did not share or upload the videos and recordings.

He plead guilty on Wednesday in Superior Court to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree).

Under a plea agreement with Burlington County Prosecutors, Howell faces a five-year state prison term when he is sentenced on June 20.

The case is being prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Eife, supervisor of the BCPO Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit.

The case was investigated by detectives from the Medford Township Police Department and the Prosecutor's Office.

The lead investigators were Medford Police Detective Nicole Fellona and BCPO Detective Matthew Delgado.

Eric Howell, former Lenape High School Chemistry Teacher. (Burlington County Prosecutors Office)
Eric Howell, former Lenape High School Chemistry Teacher. (Burlington County Prosecutors Office)
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