A Verona High School alumna who was named the “Essex County Teacher of the Year” in 2011 has entered a guilty plea in a case involving one of her students.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Erica DePalo, 33, now a Montclair resident, pleaded guilty to third degree endangering the welfare of a 15 year-old male student in her West Orange High School English class.
Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez, who handled the case, said DePalo and the victim had sexual relations between June and August of 2012. The victim visited DePalo at her apartment during that time and the two had sexual relations on more than one occasion.
“This is a just resolution of the case because it frees the victim from having to testify in open court,” said Gutierrez. “The victim’s family is also relieved that their son can now move forward.”
DePalo is scheduled to be sentenced on April 29, 2013 before the Honorable Peter V. Ryan.
The defendant is expected to be given a three-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.
