Former high school teacher becomes fourth to plead guilty in New Jersey school sex case
(CBS/AP) CAMDEN, N.J. - A former male teacher at a southern New Jersey high school became the fourth person to plead guilty Thursday to charges stemming from inappropriate relationships with students.
Pictures: Notorious teacher sex scandals
Former Triton High School teacher Nick Martinelli pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree hindering apprehension.
Martinelli, 28, resigned his teaching position and will forfeit his teaching certificate, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. Under terms of his plea, he will be sentenced to probation next month.
Martinelli admitted impeding an investigation by telling a student not to inform investigators about their relationship. The prosecutor's office said he wasn't charged with sex offenses because the student was over 18.
Jeff Logandro, 32, and 27-year-old Daniel Michielli, both former math teachers at the school, pleaded guilty last month to third-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct. The two men admitted to having improper physical relationships with two female students during the 2011-12 school year. They are scheduled for sentencing on Friday.
Triton's former principal, 55-year-old Catherine DePaul, pleaded guilty to failing to report a crime, a disorderly persons offense. DePaul was sentenced to a year's probation, was required to forfeit her job and will be disqualified from public employment in New Jersey.
In April 2012, a female student told a substitute teacher at the school that there were teachers engaging in sexual contact with students. The substitute reported the information to DePaul, who, contrary to her legal responsibilities, failed to contact law enforcement or the state Division of Children and Families about the allegations, prosecutors said.
An official misconduct charge is pending against a vice-principal.
More on Crimesider
Oct. 5, 2012 - Three NJ teachers arrested for sex with students, 2 administrators arrested for covering up scandal
