Court Finds Pattern Of Grooming And Abuse Of Trust In Multi-Year Case

Friday, February 13, 2026, 8:00 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ.- A former Wall Township High School English teacher has been sentenced to a decade in New Jersey State Prison after admitting to repeatedly engaging in sexual acts with two of her students over a period of several years, Monmouth County authorities announced Thursday.

     Julie Rizzitello, 37, of Brick Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, was sentenced to 10 years in State Prison by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley during a sentencing hearing held Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Freehold, New Jersey. 

     In addition to the prison term, Rizzitello will be subject to Parole Supervision for Life, must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, is permanently barred from any contact with the victims, and has been ordered to forfeit her teaching license and position.

     The sentencing follows an extensive investigation led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau and the Wall Township Police Department, with assistance from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Brick Township Police Department. The investigation was spearheaded by MCPO Detective Jose I. Rodriguez and Wall Township Police Detective Devin Corso.

     According to prosecutors, Rizzitello’s criminal conduct involved two male victims, one whom she met when he was a freshman at Wall Township High School, and another whom she met when he was a junior. Authorities said Rizzitello initially cultivated what appeared to be casually friendly relationships with the students, frequently requesting time alone with them. That behavior later escalated into sexual activity that continued for several months with each victim.

     Investigators determined that the sexual encounters occurred primarily at three locations: Rizzitello’s residence in Brick Township, inside a vehicle parked in a Wall Township parking lot, and at a Belmar bagel shop owned by Rizzitello’s family, where both victims were employed at her suggestion.

     While the investigation was ongoing, prosecutors said Rizzitello contacted both victims and attempted to obstruct the case by asking them to delete evidence of the crimes from their personal electronic devices.

     Rizzitello was arrested without incident in July 2024. In August 2025, she pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree sexual assault before Judge O’Malley, avoiding a trial but exposing herself to significant prison time under New Jersey sentencing guidelines.

     During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Judge O’Malley ruled that four aggravating factors in the case substantially outweighed a single mitigating factor. In denying a defense request for a reduced five-year prison sentence, the judge cited the emotional impact of a victim statement read into the record and the sustained, calculated nature of the abuse.

     “These crimes were not isolated incidents constituting moments of poor judgment; they were textbook cases of grooming,” said Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. “They involved a defendant who repeatedly leveraged tactics of isolation, manipulation, and control for the sake of her own selfish purposes. The egregious nature of the conduct was further compounded by the plain fact that the emotional and psychological harm she inflicted came at the expense of two of the very same young minds she had been entrusted to develop and nurture.”

     Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran praised the courage of the victims and the community members who brought the allegations forward.

     “It is never easy to speak up, especially when the offender is someone in a position of trust,” O’Halloran said. “The strength and integrity shown by the victims and the members of our community who brought this matter to light were instrumental in ensuring justice was served.”

     O’Halloran added that the department remains committed to protecting residents and supporting victims of crime.

     “We will continue to investigate allegations thoroughly, support those affected, and work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable,” he said. “I also want to recognize the dedication and professionalism of the officers of the Wall Township Police Department and our partners at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Their hard work, diligence, and compassion throughout this investigation were critical to achieving today’s outcome. Our priority will always be the safety and well-being of our community.”

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based entirely on official court records and statements released by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. In accordance with journalistic standards and New Jersey law, the identities of the victims have not been disclosed. Englebrook Independent News reports on cases involving sexual offenses with particular care to balance the public’s right to know with the protection and dignity of victims.