High School teacher sentenced to fifteen months for sexual intercourse with minor

A Pennsylvania school teacher has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being accused of sexually abusing a student.

Michelle Mercogliano, 36, entered a guilty plea to two counts of sexual intercourse with a student and additional charges of corruption of a minor and unlawful contact in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas on May 1.

The sentencing follows a comprehensive investigation into her conduct at Conestoga High School in Berwyn.

According to a news release from the Chester County District Attorney's Office, Ms Mercogliano admitted to having sexual relations with, and providing marijuana to, a 16-year-old student.

The illicit relationship reportedly began in February 2025. Although she faced an initial minimum sentence of 33 months, a deal with prosecutors resulted in a reduced 15-month custodial term.

Upon her release, Ms Mercogliano will be supervised by a probation officer for at least 80 months and has been officially determined to be a Tier II Sex Offender.

The Tredyffrin Township Police Department launched the investigation shortly after the conduct began. At the time, Ms Mercogliano had been employed by the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District for only one year.

As part of her sentence, she has forfeited her teaching licence and is strictly prohibited from working with children while on probation.

District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe emphasised that parents and students must be able to trust educators, asserting that such predatory behaviour will not be tolerated within the community.