Monmouth Regional HS teacher charged with sexual assault on a student

(FREEHOLD) A Monmouth Regional High School teacher surrendered to authorities Thursday after it was discovered he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with one of his students who was under the age of 18, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Nicholas DePue, 29, of Whispering Oaks Way in Jackson, is charged with second degree counts of Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was released after posting a $100,000 bond, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jamie Perri, J.S.C., who also ordered DePue have no contact with his victim and he is not to return to the scene of his crimes.

If convicted of Sexual Assault, DePue faces a sentence of up to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of “Megan’s Law” and Parole Supervision for Life requiring a minimum of 15 years parole following his release from state prison.

If convicted of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, DePue faces a sentence of five to ten years in prison, also subject to the provisions of “Megan’s Law” and Parole Supervision for Life.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki.
DePue is represented by William Cunningham, Esq., of Brick.