13.02.2026 11:23
Julie Rizzitello, an English teacher who abused two of her students for years and became pregnant by one of them, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. According to court documents, these relationships took place at the teacher's home and in parking lots. Rizzitello's teaching license was revoked, and she was also banned from holding public office.
Julie Rizzitello, an English teacher at Wall Township High School in New Jersey, USA, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for long-term sexual abuse targeting two students.
ABUSED THE TEACHING PROFESSION
The allegations that the 37-year-old Rizzitello manipulated young people by abusing her teaching position and committed crimes by betraying trust were evaluated by Judge Jill Grace O'Malley in Monmouth County Superior Court.
ABUSED IN PARKING LOTS
Before her arrest last July, Rizzitello admitted to having sexual relations with two different male students during her teaching period, both in 2017–2018 and in 2024. According to court documents, these relationships took place at the teacher's home, at a family-owned bagel shop where the students worked, and in a parking lot; Rizzitello attempted to keep the relationships secret by convincing the students to spend time alone and also requested the victims to delete evidence from their devices during the investigation.
TEACHING LICENSE REVOKED
Prosecutors described these actions as classic "grooming" behavior, while the judge noted that the behavior was calculated, manipulative, and had deep effects on the psychological well-being of the students; additionally, parallel to Rizzitello's sentence, a sexual offender registry under Megan's Law, lifetime supervised release, and communication bans with the victims were also imposed. Rizzitello's teaching license was revoked, and she was prohibited from holding public office, emphasizing the importance of legal protections for students.