Former High School Coach Gets 7 Years in Prison For Sexual Assault
A former high school girls’ basketball coach who was convicted of sexually assaulting a player has been sentenced to seven years in prison, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports. Pamela Balogh, 40, a former coach at Immaculata High School, was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child; and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. The jury in December however did not find her guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, which could have gotten her more prison time.
The victim, now a freshman in college, reportedly testified during the trial. She was 15 years old when the abuse started in 2005. Prosecutors alleged that Balogh initially lured the girl with gifts and phone calls before assaulting her in the coach’s office, her car, her home, and her sister’s home. Balogh was arrested in December 2006.
This coach’s story is an example of the damage a criminal sexual assault charge can cause to a person’s life and career. This woman will probably never coach again in a school. A sexual assault charge or conviction in New Jersey will cost you – heavy fines, probation and often prison time. According to Department of Justice statistics, more than half of sexual assault convictions result in prison sentences. If convicted defendants manage to escape prison time, they will be placed on probation. Sexual assault convictions also carry the longest median prison sentence, other than homicide – seven years, which is what this former coach got.
You will also be required to register as a sex offender if convicted under New Jersey’s Megan’s Law. A sex offender almost always struggles to find employment or even a place to live because his or her name, age, image and even place of residence are now public record. The bottom line is that registered sex offenders lose their reputation, privacy and peace of mind.
As New Jersey sexual assault defense attorneys, we know that false allegations are often a sad reality in such cases. Teachers and coaches, who mostly work near or with children, can suddenly find themselves faced with these life-changing allegations. If you face similar charges, you need to retain an experienced New Jersey sexual assault defense attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys may be able to lessen your fines, reduce your jail time or even have your charges reduced or dismissed. If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime in the state of New Jersey, call Lependorf & Silverstein to discuss your case.
