West Morris Mendham High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Official Misconduct

Published on February 16, 2016

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Nicole McDonough, age 33, of Mount Olive Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to one count of Official Misconduct, a crime of the second degree, and was admitted into the Pre Trial Intervention program.

In pleading guilty, Defendant admitted that during the timeframe of May 2014 to June 2014, she was employed as a teacher with the West Morris Mendham High School. During this timeframe, she admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with an eighteen (18) year old student from West Morris Mendham High School. Defendant admitted to engaging in sexual encounters with this student on two (2) separate occasions, both of which occurred in Mt. Olive. Defendant also admitted that she was aware of policies within the West Morris Regional High School District that required teachers to maintain a professional relationship with students and that her conduct violated those policies. She also admitted that she gained a personal benefit from the sexual relationship.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Defendant agreed to voluntarily relinquish her teaching certificates, to immediately resign her teaching position with the West Morris Regional High School District, and to permanent disqualification from public employment.

Additionally, the State agreed to dismiss the remaining counts of the Indictment. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Defendant was admitted into Pre Trial Intervention (PTI) for a period of three (3) years. The State agreed to Defendant's admission.

The Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., presided over the plea.

Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn represented the State.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Mendham Borough Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit whose efforts contributed to the investigation and resolution of the matter.

Any inquiries can be directed to Deputy Chief Denise H. Arseneault at darseneault@co.morris.nj.us or (973) 285-6262.