Former Middletown High School North Educator Receives 5½-Year State Prison Term, Lifetime Supervision, And Permanent Loss Of Teaching License

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

MIDDLETOWN, NJ.- A former Monmouth County teacher and high school basketball coach has been sentenced to state prison after admitting to engaging in a sexual relationship with a student under his supervision, a case that prosecutors say represents a profound breach of trust by a public educator.

     Raymond S. Santiago announced that Justin McGhee, 36, of Ocean Township, New Jersey, was sentenced to five and one-half years in New Jersey State Prison for second-degree Sexual Assault, following a hearing held Friday in Monmouth County Superior Court.

     Under the terms imposed by Henry P. Butehorn, McGhee must permanently forfeit his public employment and New Jersey teaching certificate, register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, and be placed on Parole Supervision for Life. The court also ordered McGhee to have no contact with the victim, barred him indefinitely from the grounds of Middletown High School North, and imposed additional statutory penalties and conditions consistent with a second-degree conviction.

Abuse Of Authority Inside A School Setting;

     McGhee was employed as a teacher at Middletown High School North and also served as the school’s head girls’ basketball coach at the time of the offenses. Prosecutors said the criminal conduct involved a student at the school and began in late 2024, while McGhee was in a position of authority and trust over the victim.

     The investigation was conducted by the Special Victims Bureau of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, working in coordination with the Middletown Township Police Department.

     According to authorities, McGhee was arrested without incident on January 28, 2025, and subsequently placed on administrative leave by the school district. Following a months-long prosecution, McGhee pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of second-degree Sexual Assault, a crime that carries a presumptive state prison sentence under New Jersey law.

Court Rejects Reduced Sentence Request;

     During sentencing, McGhee’s defense sought a downward departure, asking the court to impose a third-degree sentence of three years’ imprisonment. Judge Butehorn denied that request, citing both the seriousness of the offense and McGhee’s role as a teacher and coach entrusted with the safety and well-being of students.

     In imposing the longer sentence, the court emphasized that sexual offenses involving educators and students represent a uniquely aggravating category of crime because of the inherent power imbalance and the expectation that schools be safe environments for minors.

Prosecutor: “A Virtually Sacred Trust;”

     Prosecutor Santiago underscored the broader harm caused by McGhee’s actions, extending beyond the immediate victim. 

     “We as a society bestow a virtually sacred trust upon teachers, whose obligations to educate and protect their students should remain their utmost priority,” Santiago said. “Those who violate that trust for their own selfish indulgences don’t just harm their victims and their families; they harm their colleagues, their school, their district, and society at large.”

     Officials noted that, in addition to incarceration, Parole Supervision for Life subjects McGhee to ongoing monitoring and strict conditions following his release, reflecting the state’s long-standing policy of enhanced oversight for offenders convicted of serious sexual crimes.

Community Impact And Accountability;

     The case has drawn renewed attention to the safeguards in place within school districts and the importance of prompt reporting and investigation of alleged misconduct involving minors. Prosecutors credited coordinated efforts between local law enforcement and the county prosecutor’s office for bringing the case to a swift conclusion once allegations surfaced.

     Authorities reiterated that anyone with information regarding suspected abuse or exploitation of a minor is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on official statements from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and court records from Monmouth County Superior Court. Englebrook Independent News withholds the identity of sexual-assault victims as a matter of policy and in accordance with ethical journalism standards.