New Jersey school custodian gets jail term for contaminating food with bodily fluids, cleaner

BRIDGETON, N.J. (AP) -- Giovanni Impellizzeri, a former school custodian from Vineland, New Jersey, was sentenced to eight years in state prison for contaminating food and utensils intended for students and staff. The 27-year-old admitted to putting bodily fluids and cleaning products into the food and recorded himself committing these acts, which he subsequently shared online.

Before his sentencing, Impellizzeri expressed remorse for his actions, stating he had no excuses for his behavior. His actions came to light in 2023 while he was employed by the Upper Deerfield Township School District, leading to an investigation by authorities.

County health officials, upon learning of the allegations, determined that although the contamination was serious, the substances used were unlikely to cause any health issues. They reported that no illnesses had been linked to the incidents.

In addition to the misconduct charge related to food contamination, Impellizzeri also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of possessing child sexual abuse material, which was discovered during the investigation into his actions with the food.

The case has raised significant concerns about safety and trust in school environments, prompting discussions about preventative measures to protect students and staff from similar incidents in the future.