Union County Man Admits To Sexual Assault Of Student

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A Plainfield man and former Trenton teacher has pleaded guilty to sexual assault involving a student, according to Mercer County prosecutors.

Darrell R. Moody, 52, of Union County, entered the guilty plea on May 19 before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Lytle of the Superior Court of New Jersey, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey.

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Prosecutors said the case began in May 2024 after a victim contacted Trenton police to report sexual assault allegations that began when the victim was in middle school. A joint investigation followed involving Trenton police and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit.

Investigators said the victim first met Moody while he was teaching fifth grade at Parker Elementary School in Trenton. Prosecutors said the alleged abuse continued over several years, including while he also worked as a basketball coach at Joyce Kilmer Middle School.

Officials said Moody admitted in court that between September 2013 and February 2014, while employed as a teacher at Parker Elementary School, he engaged in sexual contact with the victim on multiple occasions.

Prosecutors also said Moody is awaiting sentencing in a separate Middlesex County case involving charges of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree solicitation of a minor for prostitution.

Prosecutors said Moody pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault as part of a negotiated plea agreement.

Under the agreement, prosecutors will recommend a five-year state prison sentence subject to the No Early Release Act. Moody would also be required to undergo an evaluation at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel, register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, and be placed on parole supervision for life. Officials said he must also surrender any teaching certifications and forfeit public employment.