NJ Teacher Accused of Same-Sex Tryst with Girl

(Glassboro, New Jersey) A 28-year-old female gym teacher and coach at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township, Erica Umosella, faces charges related to engaging in sex with a 17-year-old female student. The relations allegedly occurred at Umosella's Glassboro residence within the last month.

Umosella's coaching responsibilities include the girl's softball and the girl's field hockey teams.

Specifically, Umosella was charged by Gloucester County authorities with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact and official misconduct. She was booked and released on bail.


[Update 05/11/07, 1930 EDT]

Another source indicates that the alleged relationship became known when the school received an anonymous letter claiming misconduct. Police were then notified.

Also, Umosella was suspended from her teaching and coaching positions on Thursday.


[Update 05/20/07]

Second teacher/coach has been implicated in the Kingsway sex scandal. Head girl's field hockey coach and gym teacher Emma Painter, 44, has been charged with second-degree official misconduct and third-degree witness tampering. According to Bernie Weisenfeld of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, Painter is alleged to have communicated with the 17-year-old student and urged her to recant her accusations of a relationship with Umosella.


[Update 01/25/08]

Erica Umosella has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of official misconduct. She admitted that she "remained employed while engaging in sexual activities with a student in violation of her teaching duties." As a result, Umosella will be sentenced to probation next week.

Strangely, having sex with a student wasn't Umosella's offense. Rather, she was guilty of having sex with a student while on the job.

The negotiation for the plea agreement was obviously quite beneficial for Umosella, who had been originally charged with aggravated sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and official misconduct.

As part of the plea agreement, Umosella forfeits her right to ever teach or coach youth sports in New Jersey. She could be allowed to teach in other states, but this guilty verdict would appear on her record.

Umosella will not be required to register as a sex offender.

In summary, physical education teacher and coach Erica Umosella, 28, sees scant punishment for engaging in sex with a female student. Of course, it does require that one view having to leave New Jersey to continue "teaching" as punishment.