Wall Township High School Teacher Faces Charges for Inappropriate Relationship with Student
On July 4, 2024, a disturbing case emerged in Freehold as a former teacher at Wall Township High School faced criminal charges for engaging in a sexual relationship with a student. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran made a joint announcement concerning the arrest of Julie Rizzitello, 36, of Brick Township. Rizzitello, who had recently submitted her resignation, now faces two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Witness Tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau, Wall Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and Brick Township Police Department, uncovered that Rizzitello’s alleged criminal behavior began earlier this year. It was revealed that Rizzitello engaged in various sexual acts with the victim on multiple occasions in Belmar, Brick, and Wall. Charges were filed in both Monmouth and Ocean counties, specifically in Belmar and Wall for the Monmouth offenses and in Brick for the Ocean offenses. Rizzitello was apprehended without incident and is currently detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a detention hearing in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Individuals with any information related to Rizzitello’s activities are encouraged to contact MCPO Detective Jose Rodriguez at 800-533-7443 or Wall Township Police Department Detective Devin Corso at 732-449-4500. The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, Director of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau, while Rizzitello is represented by Francis R. Hodgson, Esq., based in Toms River.
Despite the grave charges, it is essential to remember that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The trial process guarantees the defendant all the trial rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and State law. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding justice and ensuring the protection of vulnerable individuals in our society.
