A Mount Laurel man, who formerly served as a teacher and football coach at Willingboro High School, recently pleaded guilty to charges for misapplication of entrusted property after being charged with theft by deception for allegedly stealing school funds.
According to reports, 47-year-old Mount Laurel resident Reginald Lawrence pleaded guilty to third-degree misapplication of entrusted property on Tuesday, September 27th in Burlington County Superior Court. His case began on April 15th, when he was arrested for alleged theft crimes. The investigation was prompted after school officials discovered that significant amounts of money had gone missing. The money had come from students to fund school activities.
Ultimately, Lawrence admitted to stealing approximately $14,500 between October 2015 and April 2016. The money was supposedly used to fund his gambling addiction. Lawrence, who was previously a football coach at high schools in Pennsauken, Willingboro, Camden, Haddon Heights, and Willingboro, has relinquished his right to teach or coach in New Jersey, per the terms of his sentence. He is also required to attend counseling for his gambling problem and was sentenced to 364 days in jail, which means he will be eligible for parole in 4 months.
Considering the potential penalties associated with a conviction for theft by deception or misapplication of entrusted property, Lawrence received a significantly lesser sentence by accepting the plea offer extended by Burlington County prosecutors. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, which governs charges for theft by deception in New Jersey, these offenses are classified as third degree crimes when the amount stolen ranges from $500 to $75,000. Similarly, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-15, which addresses misapplication of entrusted property, considers these offenses third degree crimes when the funds involved exceed $1,000.
Under New Jersey law, a third degree crime is punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison. However, third degree crimes entail a presumption of non-incarceration, which means that a first-time offender may be considered a good candidate for probation or a diversionary program such as Pre-Trial Intervention. In this case, Lawrence had no prior criminal record, which likely factored into the State’s offer.
For additional information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Former high school teacher reportedly admits to stealing student money for gambling