Former Pelham Middle School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Dealing Crack Cocaine and Intending to Have Sex with a Minor

Former Pelham Middle School teacher Gregg M. Cavaluzzi, 34, pleaded guilty to dealing crack cocaine and intending to have sex with a minor on Thursday afternoon, according to the United States Attorney.

According to Jonathan Bandler of LoHud.com, Cavaluzzi was also a former lacrosse coach.

On Nov. 25, 2008, Cavaluzzi purchased approximately 10 grams of crack cocaine, which he distributed to others, according to the U.S States Attorney. Additionally, in May 2009, Cavaluzzi arranged to meet with a police officer, posing as a 15-year-old girl, to engage in sexual activity.

Cavaluzzi pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas in White Plains federal court on Thursday.

"It is particularly disturbing that an educator, entrusted with the well-being of his students, was engaged in such heinous conduct,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Thankfully, law enforcement caught on to him before he could cause any more harm.”

On May 30, 2009, Cavaluzzi traveled through Connecticut, while en route to Elmsford, NY, where he believed he was meeting a 15-year-old girl to have sex, not an undercover cop.

“We are grateful to our partners at the FBI and Westchester County Police Department for helping us ensure that this defendant will be spending his time in a jail house, not a school house,” remarked Bharara.

The White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling the case and U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Martin and Marcia Cohen are in charge of the prosecution.

Cavaluzzi was charged with one count of crack distribution and one count of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The crack distribution count carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison. The traveling count carries a maximum term of 30 years in prison.

Cavaluzzi was arrested on May 31, 2009, and was detained without bail. He continues to be detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 2, 2011, before Judge Karas.