Ex-NJ Elementary School Custodian Admits to Poisoning Food Intended for Students and Staff

Warning: This story contains graphic content that may be upsetting to some readers.

A former school custodian in New Jersey, Giovanni Impellizzeri, has pleaded guilty to shocking crimes involving food contamination at the Elizabeth Moore School.

The 27-year-old admitted in court to filming himself tainting food with bodily fluids and cleaning products. He also pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

Impellizzeri is set to be sentenced in March, where he could face up to 18 years behind bars.

The investigation began on October 30, 2023, after New Jersey State Police were alerted by school officials. They received several anonymous tips about disturbing posts on social media.

These posts included videos of Impellizzeri performing inappropriate acts with objects at the school, where he worked since September 2019. Authorities reported that he contaminated food items and utensils with harmful substances, including bleach and bodily waste. There are concerns that this tainted food may have been served to both students and staff.

Investigators narrowed down the timeline of his actions to between October 26 and October 30, 2023, discovering that he shared videos of his misconduct on social media and likely conducted these acts after school hours.

Impellizzeri was arrested on October 31 and charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated assault and food tampering. He was later charged with official misconduct as well.

According to his public defender, Impellizzeri has struggled with mental health issues for a long time and had no previous criminal record before these incidents.

The Upper Deerfield Township School District has worked closely with law enforcement during the investigation. They assured the community that all food and utensils in the school were thoroughly sanitized, and any products that could have been contaminated were disposed of. Currently, Impellizzeri is on administrative leave from his position.