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A New Jersey middle school teacher accused of helping rob a man inside Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City was simply looking for a night out and had no idea a prostitution-related encounter was taking place, according to her attorney.
Amanda Crafts, 35, of Wildwood, N.J., was arrested Oct. 9 and charged with theft and conspiracy to commit robbery. The charges stem from an incident in which a man was stripped and physically restrained on a bed while another woman, 23-year-old Veda Engel, performed a sex act, according to a criminal complaint.
Engel, who also faces a prostitution charge in the case, abruptly stopped the encounter and declared, “That’s what you get for $1,250,” the complaint alleges.
Investigators claim Crafts held the man down while Engel used facial recognition on his phone to transfer $1,250.
‘Only There to Party’
Crafts’ defense attorney, Charles Peruto Jr., maintains that law enforcement has misconstrued his client’s involvement.
“I truly believe that she was there to party,” Peruto told BreakingAC.
Peruto noted that Crafts voluntarily surrendered her cell phone to police to prove she was actively browsing online during the encounter rather than participating in any robbery.
He added that statements from both defendants confirm they had only met that evening, asserting Crafts was unaware of any transaction involving money for sex.
Insisting his client had no part in the alleged theft, Peruto dismissed the victim’s account.
“I can’t wait to cross-examine this idiot,” Peruto added.
‘Wrong Place at the Wrong Time’
Crafts, a mother of four who taught computer classes at Middle Township Middle School, has officially resigned from her teaching position, Peruto confirmed.
The school district had previously notified parents that Crafts was no longer employed, though administrators had not specified whether she resigned or was terminated.
During a preliminary court appearance, Crafts told the judge she had no prior criminal record and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Both defendants were released from custody Oct. 15 under pretrial supervision. They are required to report to the court biweekly and are strictly barred from contacting one another or the alleged victim.
Engel also faces a separate, pending prostitution charge stemming from an alleged incident involving an undercover police officer at the Borgata in December 2025.
Peruto stated that Crafts will not accept any plea offer and intends to fight the charges at trial.