Wall Township teacher pleaded guilty to two sexual assault counts

A former Wall Township High School English teacher pleaded guilty last week to two counts of second-degree sexual assault for relationships with two teenage students that prosecutors say began in 2017 and continued into 2024. Julie Rizzitello, 37, admitted the charges in Monmouth County, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said it will seek a 10-year state prison term, mandatory registration as a sex offender and additional penalties including lifetime parole supervision and permanent forfeiture of public office or her teaching credentials. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2026.

Prosecutors and charging documents describe separate episodes involving two students. Authorities say Rizzitello had multiple sexual encounters with an 18-year-old student between April and June 2024, including at least one incident in the student’s car, and that she sent the student nude photos and exchanged numerous sexual messages while arranging meetings in Brick, Belmar and Wall townships. Probable cause papers filed in the 2024 matter specify sexual activity including oral and vaginal intercourse between May 18 and June 15, and say sexual contact began in April.