Union Co. Man, Former Teacher & Coach Charged With Sex Assault

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Union County man and former teacher and basketball coach in Trenton was charged in connection with multiple counts of sexual assault between 2014 and 2019, announced Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton and Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson on Tuesday.

Darrell R. Moody, 51, of Plainfield, was arrested in Trenton on Monday. He is charged with
one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault,
two counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, two counts of fourth-degree
criminal sexual contact and two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Moody pending trial.

In May, the victim contacted the Trenton police to report incidents of sexual assault that began when the victim was in middle school, said Hilton.

Detectives learned that the victim met Moody when Moody was teaching fifth grade at Parker Elementary School.

Moody sexually assaulted the victim over several years beginning in middle school and continuing to high school, said Hilton.

Moody was also coaching basketball at Joyce Kilmer Middle School during the time of the assaults, said Hilton.

In an unrelated incident, on June 27, 2023, South Plainfield Police Department charged Moody with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second- degree solicitation of a minor for prostitution.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s SVU
at 609-989-6568 or [email protected].

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