A former New Jersey high school English teacher, Julie Rizzitello, received a decade-long prison sentence Wednesday for betraying the trust placed in her and sexually assaulting two students.
The 37-year-old Rizzitello, once employed by Wall High School, systematically groomed her victims, initiating relationships that began with seemingly harmless interactions and escalated into horrific abuse.
The crimes unfolded over a period spanning several years, beginning in 2017 and continuing into 2024. Disturbingly, some acts occurred within the confines of her family’s bagel shop, a place where the victims were employed at her suggestion.
Investigators revealed Rizzitello deliberately sought out vulnerable students, first connecting with one as a freshman and another as a junior. She then isolated them, fostering a false sense of friendship before exploiting their trust.
Evidence presented during the case showed Rizzitello actively attempted to conceal her crimes, directly contacting the victims and urging them to delete incriminating evidence from their devices.
The investigation began after a concerned district employee alerted authorities to the inappropriate relationship between Rizzitello and a student in July 2024, leading to her swift arrest.
A second victim courageously came forward following Rizzitello’s arrest, detailing similar experiences that occurred in 2017 and 2018, while he was still a minor.
Photographic and textual evidence corroborated both victims’ accounts, painting a chilling picture of calculated manipulation and abuse of power. The details revealed nude photos and intimate encounters in various locations.
During sentencing, Judge Jill G. O’Malley rejected a plea for a reduced sentence, citing the profound emotional and psychological damage inflicted upon the victims. The judge emphasized the predatory nature of Rizzitello’s actions.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago condemned Rizzitello’s behavior as “textbook cases of grooming,” highlighting the defendant’s deliberate use of isolation, manipulation, and control.
Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran lauded the bravery of the victims for coming forward, acknowledging the immense difficulty in reporting such crimes, especially when perpetrated by someone in a position of authority.
Rizzitello, who had been with the school district since 2013, has permanently forfeited her teaching position and will be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from prison.
Beyond the prison sentence, Rizzitello will face lifetime parole supervision, a constant reminder of the devastation she caused and a safeguard against future harm.
