Former Monmouth County Coach Receives 5½-Year Prison Term in Student Sexual Assault Case
A Monmouth County high school teacher and girls’ basketball coach was sentenced to nearly five years in state prison for sexually assaulting a juvenile.
On November 17, 2025, 36-year-old Justin M. McGhee pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated sexual assault. Court filings reveal he was sentenced Friday to five years and six months in New Jersey state prison.
Middletown High School North girls’ basketball coach McGhee also taught gym. He confessed to sexually assaulting a 16- to 17-year-old student during the investigation.
Authorities reported the first incident on December 12, 2024. Court records show McGhee texted the child late at night to pick him up from a pub. He assaulted her in the backseat after she arrived.
It happened again in January 2025. McGhee claimed he contacted the student again to invite her home. Home assault.
Police were informed in December 2024 that McGhee was having an affair with a student. Initial information did not identify the student. After receiving a similar email regarding McGhee’s behavior, school officials notified police.
Detectives interrogated the teen and her parents after identification.
According to NJ State Board of Examiners documents, McGhee turned in his teaching credentials after his guilty plea.
He was imprisoned and ordered to register as a Megan’s Law sex offender. Lifelong parole supervision follows discharge.
After the punishment, McGhee’s attorney Mitchell Ansell was unavailable for comment. Court records show McGhee apologized to “a horrible mistake” and sought treatment following his arrest.
A Monmouth County high school teacher and girls’ basketball coach was sentenced to nearly five years in state prison for sexually assaulting a youngster.
On November 17, 2025, 36-year-old Justin M. McGhee pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated sexual assault. According to court documents, his Friday New Jersey state jail sentence was five years and six months.
Gym teacher and Middletown High School North girls’ basketball coach McGhee admitted to sexually assaulting a 16- or 17-year-old throughout the investigation.
Authorities say December 12, 2024 was the first incident. McGhee allegedly texted the student late at night to pick him up from a pub. She arrived and he reportedly assaulted her in the backseat.
McGhee invited the student home again in January 2025, sparking another assault. Investigators believe he assaulted her again at home.
The student who tipped police about McGhee’s inappropriate behavior in December 2024 was not identified. School administrators investigated similar email complaints. Detectives interviewed the student and her parents.
McGhee willingly resigned as a teacher after his guilty plea, according to the NJ State Board of Examiners.
Megan’s Law required McGhee to register as a sex offender in addition to his prison sentence. A lifetime parole will follow his release.
Mitchell Ansell, McGhee’s attorney, declined comment after the penalty. Court papers show McGhee apologized for “a horrible mistake” and sought treatment after his imprisonment.
This case highlights how educators who misuse their trust are punished and how law enforcement and schools protect minors from sexual assault.
Sources
- New Jersey State Board of Examiners
- Official court records
- APP.com court reporting
