A former Wall Township High School English teacher, Julie Rizzitello, 37, has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two of her former students in separate incidents years apart, prosecutors announced this week.
Rizzitello admitted to two counts of second-degree sexual assault during a recent court appearance. One case dates back to 2017–2018, when she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student. The second case took place between April and June 2024, involving another former student who was legally an adult.
Investigators said the 2024 relationship included explicit text exchanges, nude photographs, and sexual encounters that occurred in Wall, Belmar, and Brick. Rizzitello resigned from her teaching position in July 2024, just days before she was arrested.
Prosecutors have scheduled sentencing for January 9, 2026. They are expected to seek a 10-year prison sentence, lifetime parole supervision, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and a permanent ban from holding public employment.
Law enforcement officials described the case as a serious betrayal of professional trust, praising the victims for their courage in coming forward. “Teachers are placed in a position of authority and responsibility,” prosecutors said, “and when that trust is broken, the harm extends beyond the individuals involved to the entire community.”