Two Teachers Convicted Of Providing Alcohol to Minors

A Peabody District Court has found two married public school teachers guilty of providing alcohol to minors during a 2013 party at their Saugus home.

Judge Richard Mori sentenced Medford Elementary School teacher Josephine Penza, 55, and Everett High School teacher John Penza, 52, to nine months in prison with 30 days to be served and the balance suspended for two years. During that time, they must remain drug and alcohol free, submit to random screenings, and perform 50 hours of community service.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Shailagh Kennedy presented evidence to show the couple was home on Aug. 18, 2013 during a party at which underage people were drinking alcohol. Just before midnight that night, Saugus Police responded to a noise complaint at their home and found about 70 minors, including a 16-year-old girl in an upstairs bathroom who was highly intoxicated and had to be taken to the hospital.

Testimony at the trial indicated that Josephine Penza told the 16-year-old girl to tell the police that she was suffering from food poisoning. Kennedy introduced photographs showing a table set up for the purpose of a drinking game and numerous empty alcohol containers.

“Parents can no longer turn a blind eye when it comes to underage drinking,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. “The statute makes it clear that allowing a minor to possess alcohol on your property violates the law. The sentence imposed underscores the seriousness of the offense and I hope will send a message to other parents who think letting young people drink in their home is no big deal.”

John Penza began serving his sentence immediately. Josephine Penza will begin serving her sentence on Jan. 15, 2016.