Jersey City Teacher Convicted of Sexually Abusing 12-Year-Old Student

A Hudson County jury convicted a Jersey City teacher of sexually abusing a 12-year-old student, Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello announced.

Apparao Sunkara, 72, of Hicksville, New York, was found guilty on Thursday, September 18, 2025, of sexual assault by contact, endangering the welfare of a child, and official misconduct. All three charges are second-degree crimes. The verdict followed a multi-week trial before the Honorable Nesle Rodriguez, J.S.C.

Prosecutors said Sunkara engaged in prohibited sexual acts with the student on multiple occasions between September 2019 and January 2020 while working as a teacher at Infinity Institute in Jersey City.

Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025. Sunkara will be subject to Megan’s Law registration and Parole Supervision for Life.

The State was represented at trial by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Celia Morrison.