Friday, September 19, 2014

CHS TEACHER PLEADS NOT GUILTY, RELATED VIDEO CONFIRMED


Columbia High School teacher Nicole Dufault entered a not guilty plea this morning in Essex County Superior Court on charges stemming from her arrest for alleged sexual contact with three 15-year-old Columbia students, according to Katherine Carter, a spokesperson with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Dufault, 35, is charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child involving the students. 

Carter confirmed the existence of video evidence in the case, which reportedly contained Dufault with a student or students.

“We’re not permitted to comment on the evidence, what may or may not be available,” Carter said, referring to the video.

Dufault, a nine-year teacher at the school, was arrested Wednesday after an investigation revealed she had allegedly had relations with students at the school and in her car. 

Carter said school authorities alerted the Prosecutor’s Office, but declined to offer more details about how the evidence came about. She said the evidence was obtained “relatively recently,” but the alleged criminal acts date back to 2013.

Dufault, whose own minor children were removed from her custody, is being held on $500,000 bail. Her attorney requested a bail hearing to reduce the amount but it is not expected to be held until next week.

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