(6/01/07 – Initial BBT Report)
James Darden, 36, of Cliffside Park, NJ and an eighth grade teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Teaneck, NJ has been arrested on allegations that he had sexual relations with a female student.
It is alleged that the relationship started when the girl was 13-years-old and a student in Darden’s eighth grade class and ended when she was a high school sophomore.
The woman said that many of her trysts with Darden happened in various rooms within Thomas Jefferson Middle School, including Darden’s classroom, the men’s faculty bathroom and the office of the dean, according to the prosecutor. The woman also told authorities she had sexual relations with Darden in his car and his former residence in Plainfield, the prosecutor said.
It is also alleged that Darden urged the victim to perform sex acts on the internet, such as masturbating via a web-cam which Darden allegedly provided.
Darden is being held on $250,000 bond.
6/03/07 – More Information
A source with knowledge of the case said Darden made incriminating statements online with investigators impersonating the woman.
Darden, who has taught at Thomas Jefferson for 10 years, is known as a model teacher who holds his students to high standards. In 2005 he was awarded a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.
6/08/07 – More Charges
James Darden already facing allegations that he had sexual relations with one former female student, has now been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct after a second former student comes forward.
The second alleged victim, now 18, told police that Darden made sexually explicit comments and kissed her intimately with “an open mouth” in 2002, when she was 13.
Darden was held on $250,000 bond on the original set of charges has now seen his bail increased to $500,000.
He remains held at the Bergen County Jail and has applied for a public defender.
6/12/07 – Bail Reduction
James Darden received a bail reduction today.
His bail which was originally set at $500,000 was reduced to $350,000.
At the bail hearing Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Liliana Silebi in opposing any bail reduction told a judge that Darden had admitted in an online chat to having sex several times with the alleged victim.
From NorthJersey.com
In his own words, typed by his own hands, he admits that he had sex with a minor multiple, multiple times.
Darden is alleged to have begun sexually abusing the girl when she was 13-years-old and a student in his eighth grade class with the abuse continuing until she was a sophomore in high school.
6/29/07 – Indicted
James Darden has been indicted by a grand jury on twenty counts alleging aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Darden was indicted on charges of having sex with one of his students and kissing another.
Both of the alleged victims were 13-years-old at the time of the alleged offenses and were students in Darden’s eight-grade class.
Darden is being held in the Bergen County Jail on $350,000 bond.
12/17/07 – Guilty Plea
James Darden has pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated sexual assault and official misconduct and faces up to to 8½ years in prison when sentenced January 18th.
Prosecutors say that Darden admitted to the judge that he engaged in sexual intercourse with one of his students while she was between 13 and 15 years old and did so numerous times in his classroom and on school grounds while the girl’s parents believed Darden was tutoring her.
Darden must register as a sex offender and remain under lifelong parole supervision when he completes his sentence.
04/25/08 – Sentencing
James Darden has been sentenced to 8½ years in prison and lifelong parole for sexually assaulting a former student.
In addition Darden will be required to be registered as a sex offender for life, is required to surrender his teaching certificate and is prohibited from ever working in the public sector.
References:
Ex-Teaneck teacher sentenced (04/25/08)
Teaneck teacher admits sex with teen (12/17/07)
Charges filed against Teaneck teacher
Teaneck teacher’s bail down slightly
Teaneck teacher James Darden accused by another former student
N.J. Teacher Accused Of Sex With Teen Student
Teaneck teacher held on $250,00 bail
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Press Release
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