CHS TEACHER DENIED BAIL REDUCTION; SEX TAPE REVEALED

Columbia High School teacher Nicole Dufault, who is accused of having sex with up to five under-aged students, was denied a reduction in bail Friday during a hearing in which prosecutors confirmed the existence of a video of her allegedly performing oral sex on a student.

Dufault, 35, had requested a reduction in her $500,000 bail to $150,000, but it was denied by Judge Michael Ravin today, according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office Spokeswoman Kathy Carter.

The Star-Ledger reported that prosecutors in the hearing revealed the existence of the video, a fact previously reported by Maplewoodian.com. Prosecutors also stated Dufault was allegedly involved in 12 different sexual incidents with students.

It was also revealed in the hearing that two previous complaints had been filed against Dufault during the last year at Columbia due to her “lack of professionalism and her conduct.” In one, the paper stated, Dufault was accused of having “inappropriate sexual conversations in the classroom." 

It also said she had allegedly misled the district about work experience on a resume, stating she had worked for a previous employer when she hadn't.

The Star-Ledger added:

The judge also indicated the apparent likelihood of conviction was “high,” in part because of the alleged video. Dufault remains in custody at the Essex County jail.

Outside the courtroom after the hearing, (Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Gina) Iosim declined to say who allegedly filmed the video, but said the video features Dufault performing oral sex on one of the victims while another victim is present.

After the hearing, Dufault’s attorney, Timothy Smith, said he hadn’t seen the video. “It’s difficult for me to comment without seeing the video,” Smith said.

But Smith added that “sometimes a video…doesn’t tell the entire story,” and suggested that Dufault could be the victim.

“If the video depicts certain things happening…that doesn’t mean that my client’s not innocent,” said Smith, adding that “for example, she could be the victim.”

“People are victimized by juveniles all the time,” Smith said.

Dufault, 35, of Caldwell, is accused of sexually assaulting the Columbia High School students on multiple occasions between 2013 and 2014. She is facing multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

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