Mendham Teacher Pleads Not Guilty, Rejects Plea Deal in Sex Case

The Mendham High School teacher accused of having sexual relations with a student and “improper” relationships with two others rejected a plea deal Tuesday that would have put her in prison for five years.

Nicole McDonough, 32, of Mt. Olive, pleaded not guilty to three counts of official misconduct, nj.com reported. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office presented a plea deal of five years in prison, but McDonough, through her attorney, rejected the plea, according to the report.

McDonough was arrested Dec. 30, 2014 and initially charged with one count of official misconduct for allegedly having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male student in May and June of that same year.

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A grand jury returned an indictment in March charging McDonough with three counts of official misconduct for the sexual relationship along with “improper” relationships through cell phone texting communications with two other male students the year before. Both of those students were 18 at the time of the relationship.

McDonough applied for pre-trial intervention earlier this month, a program that would grant her probation without admission of guilt, and require her to complete community service and other conditions. While the pre-trial program manager is in favor of McDonough’s application, the prosecutor’s office is not, the report said.

Defense attorney Tim Smith is looking to dismiss the charges altogether, the report said.

McDonough still holds her position at West Morris Mendham High School, but had her pay suspended in March after a unanimous vote by the school board there.

The teacher’s next court date is scheduled for May 26.

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