West Morris Mendham HS Teacher Indicted

Published on March 06, 2015

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Pasquale Libertino of the Mendham Borough Police Department announce the indictment of 32 year-old Nicole McDonough aka Nicole L. Howell, of Mount Olive Township, New Jersey, on three counts of Official Misconduct, a crime of the second degree.

Law enforcement received information that the defendant allegedly engaged in improper relationships with male students while she was employed as a teacher at West Morris Mendham High School. An investigation ensued which revealed that defendant had relationships with three 18 year-old male students. These relationships allegedly consisted of improper communication and impermissible fraternization, and included a physical sexual relationship with one of the three students. The relationship with one student allegedly occurred in April, May, and June of 2013, and the relationships with the other two students allegedly occurred in April, May, and June of 2014.

McDonough was initially arrested on December 30, 2014, following an investigation conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and the Mendham Borough Police Department. The investigation was led by Detective Bruce LaFera of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Detective Chris Irons of the Mendham Borough Police Department.

Anyone with information relating to these charges or any similar conduct by this defendant is urged to contact Detective Bruce LaFera of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Mendham Borough Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Any inquiries can be directed to Deputy Chief Denise H. Arseneault at 973-285-6262 or DArseneault@co.morris.nj.us.