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Vineland Today
By the People, for the People
Two New Jersey Teachers Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Students Face Sentencing
Julie Rizzitello and Isaias Garza both face prison time for separate incidents of sexual misconduct with students.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Two former New Jersey teachers, Julie Rizzitello and Isaias Garza, are set to be sentenced this week after being convicted of sexually assaulting students. Rizzitello pleaded guilty to assaulting two students while working at Wall Township High School, and Garza was found guilty by a jury of sexual assault and witness tampering charges related to his time as head teacher at Bridgeton's ExCEL program.
Why it matters
These cases highlight the serious issue of sexual misconduct by teachers against students, which can have lasting traumatic impacts on victims. They also raise concerns about oversight and accountability in schools to prevent such abuses of power.
The details
In the first case, Julie Rizzitello of Brick Township pleaded guilty in Monmouth County to two counts of second-degree sexual assault against students while she was a teacher at Wall Township High School. She faces up to 10 years in prison. In the second case, Isaias Garza of Vineland was convicted by a Cumberland County jury of second-degree sexual assault and witness tampering charges related to his time as head teacher at Bridgeton's ExCEL program. He faces 5-10 years in prison on each charge.
- Rizzitello is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
- Garza is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
The players
Julie Rizzitello
A former teacher at Wall Township High School in Monmouth County who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two students.
Isaias Garza
A former head teacher at the ExCEL program in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, who was convicted by a jury of sexual assault and witness tampering charges.
What’s next
The judges in each case will determine the final sentences for Rizzitello and Garza at their respective hearings next week.
The takeaway
These convictions underscore the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures in schools to prevent teachers from abusing their positions of trust and power over students.
