Ex-teacher pleads guilty to sex charge

Former history teacher and boys track coach Seth Canata faces a maximum of five years in prison.

By: Eileen Oldfield
   Former Hillsborough High School history teacher and boys track coach Seth Canata pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree official misconduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on Friday, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest.
   Mr. Canata, 33, of Ewing, worked in the district from 1997 to 2006. He was suspended by the Board of Education following sexual misconduct allegations in July of 2006.
   Mr. Canata received pay for the first 120 days of his suspension, but did not receive pay after that time.
   The guilty plea was a part of a bargain that reduced the charges from second-degree sexual assault, which has a 10-year maximum sentence, to the two lesser counts. Under the agreement, Mr. Canata faces a maximum of five years in New Jersey State Prison. Mr. Canata is free on $50,000 bail; the court has not set a sentencing date for the case.
   According to the prosecutor, a former student reported that Mr. Canata engaged in various sexual activities with her while she was a student in his history class. The student was under the age of 18 at the time of the incidents, which occurred on school property and inside the high school.
   The student reported the incidents to the Hillsborough police in July of 2006, which launched the investigation with the prosecutor’s office. Detectives from the prosecutor’s office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse unit and the Hillsborough police took Mr. Canata into custody at his residence on July 14, 2006, and charged him with second-degree sexual assault. The charges were reduced in August of that year.
   While the Hillsborough Board of Education suspended Mr. Canata on July 17, 2006, his contract could not be terminated until he pleaded guilty or was indicted. The board will act on the contract termination at its July 16 meeting.
   "He was suspended pending the outcome of this matter," said Assistant Superintendent of Business Tom Venanzi. "With a guilty plea, it results in the teacher’s forfeiture of employment and his employment is terminated."
   While the State Board of Examiners may revoke Mr. Canata’s teaching certificate, a hearing on the matter cannot occur until after Mr. Canata is sentenced, Department of Education spokesman Rich Vespucci said Tuesday..
   "The matter would not be considered a conviction until sentencing," said Mr. Vespucci on Tuesday. "Under law, he can still withdraw his plea and decide to contest the charges. Once the judge hands down the sentence, the matter can go to the board."
   Mr. Vespucci stated that the Board of Examiners is aware of the case, and once there is a sentence, the hearing process can begin.
   A hearing automatically occurs in the event of a felony conviction, if the school district requests it, or if the victim or the victim’s family requests it.