James Cunneely
Posted by Webmaster in Coaches, Hall of Shame, High Schools, Language Arts, ME-FV, New Jersey5/25/07 – Initial BBT Report)
James Cunneely, a 31-year-old, French and Spanish teacher as well as junior varsity girls soccer coach at Kittatinny Regional High School, in Newton, New Jersey has been indicted on multiple counts for the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female student.
Cunneely, a teacher at the school for seven years, was the Kittatinny Regional High School “Teacher of the Year” during the 2005 school year. Cunneely received a glowing acknowledgment from the New Jersey Department of Eduction for his teacher of the year award.
World Language teacher, Mr. James Cunneely, was chosen as the 2005 Kittatinny Regional High School Teacher of the Year. Jim is also lead teacher of the World Languages Department, acts as mentor to new employees, serves as National Honor Society advisor while teaching all levels of French including Advanced Placement.
Cunneely, who is reportedly married with three small children, has been indicted on one count of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact for the sexual relationship with the girl, when is alleged to have taken place between September, 2005 and February, 2007 during which the teacher and student allegedly engaged in numerous sexual encounters in various locations including motel rooms, in Cunneely’s vehicle, in the girl’s bedroom and even in her mother’s bedroom.
Following his indictment the Kittatinny School Board once again voted to discontinue James Cunneely’s pay during his suspension while criminal charges are pending. Following Cunneely’s February arrest he was first suspended without pay, then the board revised itself restoring his pay and now has once again suspended his reported $55,000 annual salary. This of course leaves one to wonder if they will restore Cunneely’s pay next month.
Cunneely was released on $75,000 bond and is to have no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with juvenile girls, and must stay at least 1,000 feet away from the victim and the school.
6/19/07 – Arraignment
At his arraignment Cunneely entered a not guilty plea and also obtained a modification of his bail conditions which will permit him to visit with this two young daughters. Previously his bail conditions specified “no-unsupervised contact with juvenile girls”, which authorities took to mean he was not permitted to have contact with his own daughters. The prosecution did not object to the change in Cunneely’s bail conditions.
He remains free on $75,000 bail.
10/15/07 – Motion to Suppress
The defense attorney for James Cunneely, 31, says he has filed a motion to suppress his client’s admissions of sex with the girl at motels, in his car and at her home.
Reportedly, plea negotiations in the case have now stalled.
12/11/07 – Guilty Plea
James Cunneely has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old female student.
Cunneely originally charged with one count of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact pleaded guilty to second degree sexual assault. As a result of the plea deal, prosecutors will recommend he be sentenced to three years in state prison. Under the original charge Cunneely faced up twenty years in prison.
Formal sentencing is set for February 15th.
3/28/08 – Sentencing Delayed
The sentencing of James Cunneely was scheduled for today, however it was postponed until to April 10.
The delay is gives Cunneely time to decide whether to stick with his guilty plea and face a possible three-year prison sentence, or withdraw the plea and take the case to trial, risking a 20 year sentenced.
The delay in sentencing was the result of the victim unexpectedly submitting a last-minute letter that may help clear the teacher, Cunneely’s attorney said.
04/17/08 – Sentencing
James Cunneely has been sentenced to three years in prison.
With credit for 98 days of time served in the Sussex County Jail, Cunneely will be eligible for parole within nine to 11 months according to his attorney.
In addition to his prison time Cunneely is required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will undergo parole supervision for life.
References:
Former Kittatinny High teacher sentenced in sex case (04/17/08)
Cunneely sentenced to three years in prison (04/17/08)
Former teacher gets 3-year prison term for sex with student (04/17/08)
Girl’s letter may help teacher in Sussex sex-assault case (3/28/08)
Kittatinny teacher admits to sex assault (12/12/07)
Kittatinny Regional High School teacher pleads guilty to sexual assault (12/11/07)
Kittatinny teacher
wants student sex confession tossed (10/15/07)
Teacher pleads not guilty in sex case
Indicted Kittatinny teacher loses pay
Kittatiny Regional High School web site
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Matt, you are right about “accountability”, but what about Lenape Valley’s accountability when they decided NOT to let his parents know that he was being abused by the French teacher? Shouldn’t LVRHS be held accountable for what they did to his life in not informing his parents so they could get him the help he obviously needed?
Yolanda,
Jimmy’s brilliance is not at fault here nor on trial. His actions due to lack of common sense and his crossing of very widely accepted social boundaries are the focus. It is a beyond a “schame” that things like this happen but we all need to recognize one word and it’s meaning in particular – Accountability. While Jimmy may have been wronged it doesn’t make the other parties responsible for his actions. At 31 years old he is capable of making his own decisions and should be accountable for them just like the rest of us.
I did not know Jimmy well but I went to high school with him. There is no question that he was like-able and intelligent. That does not excuse a sexual encounter with a child. Period.
Obviously what he did was wrong… But, I went to high school with Jimmy at Lenape Valley in the 90’s. Everyone (not just the students, but the faculty) knew that Jimmy was having a very emotionally charged and sexual relationship with our French teacher, Ms. D. This went on for years. I find it particularly interesting that Jimmy went on to be a french teacher, just as Ms. D was…
At this time, there were never stories of teachers being charged with this kind of stuff. Lenape Valley’s administration chose to sweep this under the rug, and we as students could not grasp the brevity of the situation.
I feel sorry for this 16 year old girl, Jimmy’s family, and for Jimmy as well. The events of his high school career have obviously scarred him forever.
Wow, its amazing how this “teachers” friends are rallying behind him here.
Lest ye forget he pleaded GUILTY TO SEXUAL ASSAULT of a 15 year old girl. How does his wife feel about this. Hmmm, I wonder.
~”Did you commit this crime of sexual assault?” Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti asked.
~”Yes I did,” Cunneely replied.
WAKE UP PEOPLE.
What about the girl???? You should all be ashamed of yourselves!!!! (except the French teacher who can’t speak English).
The administration NEVER notified Jimmy’s parents about Miss D. So “everyone” did not know about the affair. The parents only found out about this affair with Miss D in February 2007. It is really sad how the administration of Lenape Valley Regional H.S. handled this. Miss D and the school are the ones who are responsible for this whole situation. They should be prosecuted for what they did to Jimmy.
I knew Cunneely personally and know that he is, not only an excellent teacher, but also an amazing friend, mentor, and person. People who do not truly understand the situation should not voice their viscious and ignorant opinions. Those who are “schamed” at “what the world is coming too…” should learn to speak English before berating a brilliant man, such as Mr. Cunneely. As humans, we all make mistakes. As a teacher, Mr. Cunneely had his mistakes aired for all the world to see. No one’s perfect, and anyone who pretends to be is judgemental, arrogant, ignorant, and hypocritical. I do not expect other people to understand my point of view… but, it would be nice if other people would not be so quick to judge what they do not understand!
I too was at HS during that time and “everyone” knew about the affair Miss D had with her students she had her chosen “boy” for years. The Faculty, School District, students and parents of students knew about her, how she dressed, acted and what she did, and not one person said a word. If you ask me, Jimmy shouldn’t be on trial he needs help, Miss D should be the one paying for his mistakes as well as all of the innocent “boys” she ruined while she was teaching and I use that word loosely.
Hey,
I went to high school with jimmy. It was no secret that he was having an affair with our french teacher. Even the administration knew it. I believe that she is now the department head. By the way, Jimmy was not Miss D’s first student sexual tryst.
Hello,
I am really schamed to hear this news about a world Language Teacher. I wonder what kind of Teachers we have out there in today’s society.
I have taught French for several years and my record is clean and can not get job as a French teacher because of budget cuts from schools.
What this world is coming too I wonder?