A disgraced New Jersey teacher confessed to sexually assaulting two of her teen students and carrying out the depraved relationships over the course of years starting in 2017.
Julie Rizzitello, 37, a former Wall Township High School English teacher, pleaded guilty last week to two counts of second-degree sexual assault, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors said they will seek a 10-year prison term and mandatory registration as a sex offender, after investigators found her sickening acts with the students took place in three Garden State townships.
“The actions of this former teacher represent a betrayal and trust, not only to the victims, but to the entire school community,” Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran said to The Coast Star.
“I commend the courage of those who came forward and the dedication of our officers and partner agencies in bringing this case to justice. Protecting our youth is among our highest priority.”
The shamed educator was arrested last summer after authorities said she and an 18-year-old student had multiple sexual encounters between April and June 2024 – including in the victim’s car, according to charging documents obtained by NJ.com
Authorities said she sent the teen nude photos, and the two traded “numerous” sexual messages while also meeting up in Brick, Belmar and Wall townships.
After her shocking July 3, 2024, bust, Rizzitello was then accused of having sex with another student multiple times between 2017 and 2018.
The ex-teacher, who resigned days before she was cuffed, taught ninth-grade English and SAT prep at Wall High, according to her now-deleted school profile page.
The Brick resident was hired by the Wall Township Public Schools in 2013, and earned a salary of $62,000, state pension records show.
In addition to prison, Rizzitello faces lifetime parole supervision and may be barred from holding public office, prosecutors said.
She will be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2026.
