Guilty! Erica DePalo, West Orange, New Jersey (arrested Aug 2012)

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Name: Erica DePalo, Montclair, New Jersey

Age: 33

School: West Orange High School, West Orange, New Jersey (West Orange Public Schools)

Position: 9th & 10th grade honors English teacher & junior varsity tennis coach

Victim: Boy, 15

CBS Local New York: Former Essex County Teacher Of The Year Accused In School Sex Scandal (Aug 31 2012)

A former teacher of the year [Erica Depalo] is accused in a school sex scandal, and she’s just been arrested.​

Star-Ledger: West Orange teacher charged with having sexual relationship with 15-year-old student (Aug 31 2012)

A female West Orange school teacher named educator of the year last year was charged Friday with multiple counts of sexual assault for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and city police announced. The teacher, Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, was charged Friday with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. A Superior Court judge signed an arrest warrant for DePalo, who was expected to be arrested Friday night ...​

North Jersey: Essex prosecutor charges teacher from Montclair with 'illegal sexual relationship' involving student (Aug 31 2012)

In a release issued Friday, Aug. 31, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott announced that Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair, a teacher in the West Orange School District, was charged today "with having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her Honor's English class." West Orange High School teacher Erica DePalo is named 'Essex County Teacher of the Year' for 2011. The arrest warrant charges Depalo with first degree aggravated sexual assault, second degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Prosecutor's Office. "According to West Orange Police Detective Louis Mignone, it is alleged that Depalo, who in addition to teaching English is also the junior varsity tennis coach, began a sexual relationship with a male student on or about June 15. At the time, the victim was 15 years old. The relationship continued until August 28," the release stated.​

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The Alternative Press: West Orange High School Teacher Under Investigation for Alleged Sexual Misconduct with a Student (Aug 31 2012)

A West Orange High School English teacher is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with a West Orange student. Ms. DePalo's car was impounded as part of the investigation ... CBS news reported at 5:30 pm that Ms. DePalo had just been arrested.​

The Alternative Press: West Orange High School Teacher to Turn Herself In (Aug 31 2012)

Erica DePalo, a West Orange High School English teacher, is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with a West Orange student ... The Alternative Press of West Orange has learned that she plans to turn herself in to police, with her attorney present.​

The Alternative Press: West Orange Teacher Erica DePalo Charged with Illegal Sexual Relationship with 15-Year-Old Student (Aug 31 2012)

[Erica] DePalo, 33, of Montclair, was charged today with having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her Honors English class. The Prosecutor's Office told The Alternative Press of West Orange that the arrest warrant charges Depalo with first degree aggravated sexual assault, second degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.​

 

Baristanet: West Orange High Teacher Arrested For Having a Sexual Relationship with a 15-year-old Student (Aug 15 2012)

This just in from the Essex County Prosecutors Office: ​

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott announced today that West Orange school teacher Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair was charged today with having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her Honor’s English class.

The arrest warrant charges Depalo with first degree aggravated sexual assault, second degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

According to West Orange Police Detective Louis Mignone, it is alleged that Depalo, who in addition to teaching English is also the Junior Varsity tennis coach, began a sexual relationship with a male student on or about June 15. At the time, the victim was 15 years old. The relationship continued until August 28.

Tonight the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, signed an arrest warrant for Depalo. Bail was set at $100,000 by Judge Cronin.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.​

Interim Superintendent of West Orange Schools, James O’Neill, released this statement to us:​

We have been advised by the Essex County Prosecutors Office that one of our employees has been arrested; the district has taken strong action by suspending the employee immediately and indefinitely. The school district will cooperate with the prosecutor’s office in every way. The West Orange School District prides itself on being vested in the health, safety and welfare of our students, to that end counselors will be available at West Orange High School beginning at noon on Tuesday September 4th, and every day after as long as needed.​

West Orange Patch: High School Female Teacher Arrested for Sex With Student (Aug 31 2012)

Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair, was arrested and charged with having a sexual realationship with a 15-year-old boy, who is a student at the high school. The relationship allegedly began in June and ended on Tuesday, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Authorities did not give many details about the nature of the relationship or how it was disclosed, but said the boy was a student in Depalo's honors class. She was also the junior varsity tennis coach at the high school.​

 

West Orange Navigator: West Orange High School teacher charged with having 'sexual relationship' with 15-year-old student (Sept 1 2012)

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott announced Friday that West Orange High School teacher Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair was charged Friday with having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her honor’s english class, according to a release from the prosecutor's office.​

WTOV 9: Prosecutor: Lauded NJ teacher had sex with student (Sept 1 2012)

A woman who was named Essex County's "Teacher of the Year" in 2011 is now accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student. County prosecutors say Erica DePalo, a 33-year-old Montclair resident who teaches English at West Orange High School, was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and child endangerment. Her bail was set at $100,000, and it was not known Saturday if she had retained an attorney.​

San Francisco Chronicle: Prosecutor: Lauded NJ teacher had sex with student (Sept 1 2012)

Prosecutors say the relationship between [Erica] DePalo and the student in her honors English class started in June and ended this week. They did not say how they learned of the alleged relationship. Interim West Orange Schools Superintendent James O'Neill says DePalo has been suspended "indefinitely."​

Philadelphia Inquirer: Prosecutor: Lauded NJ teacher had sex with student (Sept 1 2012)

 

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Google News Alerts (Sept 2 2012):

Update: Honors teacher from Montclair charged with sexual assault of student
NorthJersey.com
Erica DePalo, 33 of Montclair, an English teacher at West Orange High School, was arrested about 7:30 p.m. Friday and accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her honor's English class, according to the ...

Prosecutor: Lauded NJ Teacher Had Sex with Student
NBC New York
County prosecutors say Erica DePalo, a 33-year-old Montclair resident who teaches English at West Orange High School, was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and child endangerment. Her bail was set at $100,000, and it was not ...

Ex-teacher of the year accused of having sex with student
7Online.com
ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc. AP Eyewitness News. WEST ORANGE, N.J. -- A woman who was named Essex County's "Teacher of the Year" in 2011 is now accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male ...

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 3 2012):

'Teacher of the Year' accused of having sex with 15-year-old student in three ...
Daily Mail
Erica DePalo, 33, romanced a 15-year-old West Orange High School pupil from mid-June until just a week ago, police said. The honors English instructor is Essex County's reigning top teacher for the 2011-'12 ... DePalo, who also coached tennis, has ...

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 4 2012):

Erica DePalo, Former 'Teacher Of The Year,' Allegedly Had Sexual Relationship ...
Huffington Post
Erica DePalo, 33, won the Essex County, N.J. Teacher of the Year award in 2011. Last Friday ... In a statement obtained by Patch, the West Orange Public School district announced that DePalo has been suspended "immediately and indefinitely. Hat tip ...

33-Year-Old NJ Teacher Erica DePalo Arrested For Sex With Student, 15
The Inquisitr
... Arrested For Sex With Student, 15. Posted: September 3, 2012. erica depalo sex with student arrest. Montclair, NJ – Erica DePalo, 33, has been arrested in New Jersey after allegations she carried on an affair with a 15-year-old student in her classes.

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 5 2012):

New Jersey teacher voted best of 2011 accused of sexual assault involving 15 ...
Fox News
Acting Essex County prosecutor Carolyn Murray said West Orange High School teacher Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, was charged Friday with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 6 2012):

New Jersey 'Teacher Of The Year' Arrested For Sexual Assault; Erica DePalo ...
Huffington Post
Police in New Jersey arrested West Orange High School's Erica DePalo, 33, last week on charges surrounding an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old boy in her English class, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday. The incident has ...

Another Student-Teacher Sex Scandal
Gather.com
This time, it's Erica DePalo, an English instructor and tennis coach at West Orange High School in Essex County, NJ. She was named 2011's "Teacher of the Year," based on her highly moving video where she said: "I don't have any children. And I always ...

'Teacher of the Year' Accused of Having Sex with Teen Student
KSEE
A New Jersey woman who was named as Essex County's “Teacher of the Year” in 2011 has been suspended from her job after being accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student. West Orange High School teacher Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, was charged ...

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 7 2012):

Student sex charges taint 'Teacher of Year' award winner
allvoices
WEST ORANGE, N.J. -- One of New Jersey's finest has landed herself in a fine mess. Erica Depalo, 33, who was named one of the state's best in 2011, is learning firsthand that experience can be the best teacher after police arrested her for having sex ...

West Orange Teacher To Be Arraigned Next Week
Patch.com
Erica Depalo, 33, of Montclair, was arrested on Friday and charged with allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student, whom she taught in her honors English class at the high school. The relationship began about July 15 and ...

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 13 2012):

Erica DePalo, "Teacher of the Year," accused of having sexual relationship ...
CBS News
(CBS/AP) NEWARK, N.J. - A New Jersey teacher who had been named 2011's "Teacher of the Year" at the high school where she taught was in court Wednesday answering charges that she had sex with a 15-year-old boy in her honors English class. ... DePalo ...

'Teacher of the year' in NJ denies sex charge
The Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey woman recently named a county's teacher of the year was in court Wednesday to answer charges that she had sex with a 15-year-old boy enrolled in an honors class she taught. An attorney for Erica DePalo, 33, ...

'Teacher of the Year' Accused of Having Sex with Teen Student
KSEE
A New Jersey woman who was named as Essex County's “Teacher of the Year” in 2011 has been suspended from her job after being accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student. West Orange High School teacher Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, was charged ...

 

Google News Alerts (Sept 15 2012):

Teacher of the Year Likes Sex with Students
Gather.com
Teacher of the year Erica DePalo maintained at least one sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. That's why she's been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and other charges stemming from her ...

NJ teacher, 33, denies sex with boy, 15
Cherry Hill Courier Post
Erica DePalo walks with her attorney Anthony Alfano into Essex County Superior Court before an appearance, Wednesday in Newark, N.J. DePalo, the 2011 Essex County teacher of the year, pleaded not guilty to charges she had a sexual relationship with a ...

Teacher From Montclair Pleads Not Guilty to Sex With Student
Patch.com
Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, pleaded not guilty to charges that she had a sex with a 15-year-old student who attended her honors English class at the high school, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. DePalo, who was chosen as the 2011 ...

'Teacher of year' denies sex charge
The Daily Advertiser
NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey woman recently named a county's teacher of the year was in court Wednesday to answer charges that she had sex with a 15-year-old boy enrolled in an honors class she taught. An attorney for Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, ...

 

West Orange Patch: Teacher Arrested for Sex With Student Will Face Grand Jury, Says Prosecutor (Oct 22 2012)

The case against a West Orange teacher from Montclair charged with a having sexual relationship with one of her students has been referred to a grand jury, according to the Essex County’s Prosecutor’s Office. rica DePalo, 33, pleaded not guilty in September to charges that she had a sex with a 15-year-old student who attended her honors English class at West Orange High School. DePalo was originally scheduled to appear in court on Monday. However, it was canceled because she will have to appear before a grand jury, said prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.​

 

Google News Alert (Oct 29 2012):

Week in Review
Patch.com
Busy last week and missed all the West Orange news that's fit to be posted? ... Erica DePalo, 33, pleaded not guilty in September to charges that she had a ...

 

My Fox NY: 'Teacher of the year' in NJ admits to sex charge (Feb 19 2013)

A former Essex County teacher of the year has admitted having sex with a 15-year-old boy enrolled in an honors class she taught. Erica DePalo pleaded guilty Tuesday to child endangerment. In return, county prosecutors will recommend she get lifetime parole supervision when she's sentenced in April. DePalo will also have to register as a sex offender and forfeit her teacher's license.​

 

Baristanet: West Orange Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment (Feb 19 2013)

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that West Orange High School teacher Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair pleaded guilty to third degree endangering the welfare of a 15 year-old male student in her English class ... The defendant is expected to be given a 3-year suspended sentence with lifelong parole supervision. She may apply for relief from parole supervision after 15 years. DePalo will also be registered as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. She must also forfeit her teaching license and must permanently forgo seeking work as a public employee. ​

 

WOAI: Ex-Teacher of Year avoids prison on student sex charge (Apr 29 2013)

A former New Jersey county Teacher of the Year who admits having sex with a 15-year-old student from her honors English class has been spared prison time. A judge in Newark on Monday instead sentenced Erica DePalo, 33, to lifetime parole supervision. DePalo also will have to forfeit her teaching certificate and register as a sex offender.​

Arizona Daily Sun: Ex-Teacher of Year avoids prison on NJ sex charge (Apr 29 2013)

 

Huffington Post: Erica DePalo, New Jersey Ex-Teacher Of The Year, Avoids Prison On Sex Charge (Apr 29 2013)

A judge in Newark on Monday sentenced 33-year-old Erica DePalo to lifetime parole supervision. DePalo also will have to forfeit her teaching certificate and register as a sex offender.​