(10/19/07 – Initial BBT Report)

Emma Painter, 45, of Clayton, New Jersey, a suspended teacher and field hockey coach at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township, New Jersey has been indicted on charges of witness tampering and official misconduct in connection with an ongoing investigation of sexual assault charges filed against another teacher and coach, Erica Umosella.

Painter is accused of urging the 17-year-old female Kingsway student to recant statements about her alleged relationship with Erica Umosella, who is accused of a sexual relationship with the girl.

The alleged victim was in one of Umosella’s health classes and was a member of the school’s field hockey team.

Painter who continues to receive a $71,318 annual teaching salary while on suspension faces up to 15 years in prison and the loss of her teaching license if convicted of all charges.

Erica Umosella was not rehired by the school for the current year.

12/19/08 – Guilty Verdict

In a non-jury trial, Emma Painter has been found guilty of official misconduct and witness tampering for trying to persuade a 17-year-old female student to recant statements about the girl’s sexual relationship with another teacher.

Painter faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years in prison at sentencing.

Painter remains free on $10,000 bail pending sentencing on February 13.

05/21/09 – Sentencing

Emma Painter has reportedly been sentenced to four years in prison.

Gloucester County Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson who sentenced Painter allowed her to remain free on bail pending appeal.

Reportedly Painter will be eligible for parole after serving two years.

References:

Ex-teacher gets 4 yrs. in colleague’s tryst
(05/21/09)

Gloucester County teacher guilty of pressuring student over sexual affair (12/19/08)

Verdict due in ex-teacher’s tampering case (12/17/08)

Coach denies tamper claim (11/22/08)

Could ID notes, school chief testifies (11/21/08)

Coach faces charge in student’s sex-assault case (10/19/07)

Ex-teacher indicted for tampering (10/19/07)

View All Bad Bad Teacher Coverage of the Case Of: Emma Painter

View All Bad Bad Teacher Coverage of the Case Of: Erica Umosella

(5/11/07 – Initial BBT Report)

Erica Umosella, a 28-year-old Glassboro, NJ health and physical education teacher and coach at Kingsway Regional High School has been busted on allegations of a month long sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female member of the field hockey team.

Umosella is charged with three sex-related offenses including first-degree aggravated sexual assault. Police do not believe any of the sexual activity took place at school and that all it took place in Umosella’s apartment.

Umosella was busted following an anonymous tip in a letter to the school superintendent, who contacted police.

5/20/07 – Witness Tampering Allegations Against Another Person

Emma Painter, 44, of Clayton, NJ, the head field hockey coach at Kingsway Regional High School, in Woolwich Township, NJ, was charged Friday with official misconduct and witness tampering.

Painted is alleged to have made verbal and written communications to a 17-year-old female student, urging her to recant statements about her sexual relationship with fellow health/physical education teacher and coach Erica Umosella.

Painter who holds a tenured position with the school was suspended with pay and was released on $10,000 bond following her arrest.

School Superintendent Ave Altersitz said the latest charges are negatively affecting the district’s students who are still reeling from the initial allegations. Altersitz said, “From what I hear the kids are upset that Kingsway’s name is being tarnished. But what I think is that the students are what make Kingsway great.”

Altersitz indicated that school administrators were informed Friday afternoon of Painter’s alleged actions. The information was then turned over to the school’s resource officer and Woolwich Township Police Department.

1/25/08 – Guilty Plea

In a plea deal with prosecutors Erica Umosella has pleaded guilty to official misconduct. In making that plea Umosella admitted that while employed by the school that she engaged in sexual activities with a student.

Sentencing is set for February 1st and reportedly Umosella will be placed on probation at that time.

Umosella will NOT have to register as a sex offender.

References:

Prison unlikely in teacher sex case (1/25/08)

Police: Teacher hindered sex case

Kingsway Regional High School Web Site

Teacher-Student Lesbian Affair? Police Bust Teacher

Teacher accused of sex assault

Kingsway Regional High School Web Site

View All Bad Bad Teacher Coverage of the Case Of: Erica Umosella