Ex-Triton Teacher Martinelli to Be Sentenced Thursday

The third of the former Triton Regional High School teachers accused of inappropriate relationships with students is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday on a downgraded charge.

Nicholas Martinelli, a former physical education teacher, pleaded guilty in March to fourth-degree hindering apprehension in the case. Martinelli faces a likely sentence of probation and the revocation of his teaching certificate when he's sentenced April 18 in Superior Court in Camden.

Martinelli was originally charged with official misconduct in the case. Unlike the other two teachers, Jeffrey Logandro and Daniel Michielli, who were implicated in relationships with underage girls, Martinelli's relationship was with an 18-year-old student.

He admitted in court to impeding an investigation into his improper relationship with the student by telling her to keep their association secret, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Cherry Hill resident already resigned his post from Triton; he had been on administrative leave for more than six months during legal proceedings.

Four of the five teachers and administrators charged in the Triton scandal have already pleaded guilty; Martinelli is the last to be sentenced of the four. Michielli and Logandro both received 30 days house arrest. Former principal Catherine DePaul, who pleaded guilty to a disorderly persons charge of failure to report to law enforcement allegations of child abuse or neglect, was sentenced in February to 30 days probation and forfeiture of her right to hold public office in New Jersey.

Only the charges against vice principal Jernee Kollock remain. Kollock, who as Triton vice principal allegedly received information about the three teachers' relationships with students on April 23, 2012, is charged with both second-degree official misconduct and the disorderly persons charge of failure to report the alleged crimes to law enforcement. She was transferred to Timber Creek Regional High School last summer, and remains suspended with pay.

For past coverage of the Triton Teacher-Student Sex Scandal, see: 

• Triton Sex Scandal Victims Might Sue School District
• Former Triton Principal, Teachers Collected $95K+ While Suspended
• 'Foundation Jeopardized': School District Responds to Guilty Pleas
• BHPRSD Board Moves to Take Suspended Triton Educators' Pay
• Suspended Triton Educators Still Drawing Paychecks?
• School District Hires PR Firm in Wake of Triton Sex Scandal
• District, Superintendent Issue Statements on Triton Sex Scandal
• 'Shocked,' 'Astonished' Triton Students React to Sex Scandal
• [UPDATE] Triton Teachers Under Investigation

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