TRENTON, N.J. — A former Trenton elementary school teacher and middle school basketball coach admitted this week to sexually assaulting a student over a period that began when the victim was in middle school, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Darrell R. Moody, 52, of Plainfield, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree sexual assault before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Lytle.
Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Moody receive five years in New Jersey state prison subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires most violent offenders to serve at least 85% of their sentence before parole eligibility.
Moody will also face parole supervision for life, mandatory registration under Megan’s Law, and the permanent surrender of his teaching certifications and public employment eligibility.
Investigation Began After Victim Reported Abuse
According to Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, the case began in May 2024 when the victim contacted Trenton police to report repeated sexual assaults allegedly committed by Moody over several years.
A joint investigation involving the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit found that the victim first met Moody while he taught fifth grade at Parker Elementary School in Trenton.
Investigators said the abuse began while the victim was in middle school and continued into high school. During part of that period, Moody also coached basketball at Joyce Kilmer Middle School.
At Monday’s plea hearing, Moody admitted that between September 2013 and February 2014, he engaged in sexual contact with the victim while serving as the student’s teacher at Parker Elementary School.
Plea Agreement Includes Megan’s Law Registration
As part of the plea deal, Moody agreed to conditions that extend beyond prison time.
In addition to parole supervision for life and Megan’s Law registration requirements, prosecutors said Moody must undergo an evaluation at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel, the state facility that houses and evaluates certain sex offenders.
The plea agreement also permanently bars Moody from public employment and requires him to surrender any active teaching credentials.
Key Points
• Former Trenton teacher and basketball coach pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a student
• Prosecutors said abuse continued over several years beginning in middle school
• Defendant faces prison time, Megan’s Law registration, and lifetime parole supervision
Separate Child Exploitation Case Still Pending
Moody also remains pending sentencing in a separate Middlesex County criminal case filed in June 2023.
In that case, prosecutors charged him with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree solicitation of a minor for prostitution.
The Mercer County case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Timothy P. McCann.
Moody is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 4, 2026.
