Female Teacher and Male Student

(Rahway, New Jersey) A 25-year-old Spanish teacher at Rahway High School surrendered to police for having sex with an underage male student. Christina Gallagher was charged with sexual assault and released on $25,000 bond. Arraignment has been set for March 31. According to prosecutors, school officials notified police after it became known that the (unnamed) student was involved with Gallagher on a number of occasions after school. Gallagher has been suspended from her teaching position.

Gallagher's attorney, Howard Feintuch, believes the only reason the charges are criminal is because she is a teacher. "This is a 25-year-old young girl, and I believe the student who she's alleged to have had some contact with is 16 or 17, so it's not as though the allegation even suggests that she's preying on students in any way, shape or form," Feintuch stated.

Excuse me, counselor, would you describe similar circumstances involving a male teacher as merely a case of a 25-year-old young boy having contact with a girl of 16 or 17? I think not.

[Update 4/01/05] Published in the Home News Tribune:

Christina Gallagher, 25, of Jersey City made her first court appearance before Judge Joan Gross in Superior Court in Union County and denied the second-degree sexual assault charge.

Her attorney, Howard Feintuck of Jersey City, said Gallagher was released on $25,000 bond.

Another hearing in the case was scheduled for May 4 before Superior Court Judge Scott Moynihan.

Feintuck said Gallagher waived the reading of the charge against her. She could face five to 10 years in state prison if she is convicted of the charge.

Authorities stated that the student involved is cooperating with the investigation.


[Update 12/09/05]

Christina Gallagher gets no jail on sentencing after pleading guilty to sexual assault of student.