May 10, 2007 - Erica Umosella, 28, a teacher and coach at Kingsway Regional High School, has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl on her field hockey team.
Umosella was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree official misconduct and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact. She has been suspended. The investigation began after Kingsway Superintendent Ave Altersitz referred an anonymous letter to law enforcement authorities.
GUILTY PLEA Jan 25, 2008 - From the Glouster County Times:
Erica Umosella, 28, pleaded guilty to official misconduct, admitting she "remained employed while engaging in sexual activities with a student in violation of her teaching duties," according to documents obtained by the Times on Thursday.Umosella's case was never presented to a grand jury for indictment. [TT - Possibly because they could not get the victim to testify. The story suggests as much.] 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.
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 faces probation when she is sentenced Feb 1.
Umosella is the second coach in Gloucester County to get probation after admitting to a sexual encounter with an athlete. John Schwerzler, a swim coach who worked at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology, pleaded guilty last year to sexual contact. He faced probation, but was sentenced to prison on an unrelated theft charge.
