A former wrestling coach at Newark Academy in Livingston has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

John Kane, 39, of Sparta, faces four counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors say Kane transported the victim to a parking lot at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on April 26, where the alleged sexual assault occurred. The victim is not a student at Newark Academy.

A Newark Academy spokesperson said the alleged misconduct did not happen on school grounds and that Kane has not worked at the school since earlier this summer.

"We are troubled by the charges brought against a former employee related to alleged misconduct with a minor," the spokesperson said. "While this matter did not involve a Newark Academy student nor did it happen on campus grounds, we take this matter very seriously."

The school said it conducted its background and reference checks before Kane was hired and that it received no complaints during what it described as his brief tenure.

The prosecutor’s office said Kane was previously involved with the Livingston Youth Wrestling Program, the West Essex Regional School District, the township of Livingston and The Work Family Connection, an after-school program serving Morris, Warren, Union, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.