Ex-teacher who argued brain surgery left her vulnerable to sexual contact with students pleads guilty – NJ.com

A former Maplewood high school teacher accused of sexually assaulting six male students admitted to multiple counts of criminal sexual contact in a plea deal just as her trial was set to start, authorities said Thursday.

Nicole Dufault, 40, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact as jury selection was underway Tuesday, acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens. The plea deal calls for a five-year state prison sentence.

She must also forfeit her teaching licenses, register as a sex offender and will be subject to parole supervision for life.

“We believe this is an appropriate resolution,” said Assistant Prosecutor Eric Plant in a statement. “We hope that it will deter other individuals entrusted with the welfare of children from engaging in similar acts and ensures the public’s safety by requiring Ms. Dufault to register as a sex offender and forfeit her employment as a teacher in this state.”

Dufault was arrested in 2014 on charges she sexually assaulted students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, where she was a language arts teacher for nine years. The students were between 14 and 15 years old when authorities say she engaged in sexual activity with them on multiple occasions between 2013 and 2014.

The incidents occurred on school property and in her car, authorities said at the time.

Additional students came forward after the initial charges were filed and she faced a 40-count indictment on charges of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Dufault’s attorney, Timothy Smith, had argued Dufault was the victim due to brain surgery that left her vulnerable to the students. Although prosecutors are expected to recommend five years in prison, Smith told NJ Advance Media on Thursday he will argue that criminal sexual contact only carries a presumption of probation.

“I’m thankful to the prosecutor’s office for recognizing the unique complexities of this case and affording Ms. Dufault this opportunity,” Smith said told NJ Advance Media.

Smith previously said his client suffered from “frontal lobe syndrome,” which some experts have said is associated with the inability to control impulses.

The divorced mother of two young sons lived in Caldwell. Dufault taught at several other public schools in Passaic and Bergen counties prior to teaching in Maplewood, the prosecutor’s office said.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.