A Los Angeles school teacher who referred to her 13-year-old rape victim as her “crystal meth” will spend the next 10 years behind bars.
Colleen Jo Matarico appeared in court Monday for sentencing dressed in a blue jumpsuit, handcuffs and glasses. Matarico’s graying hair was a stark difference from the dark locks she once had as a teacher.
The 44-year-old previously pleaded no contest to two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years, the six other charges against her were dropped.
Matarico was sentenced to 10 years for her crime. When it was announced, the disgraced teacher smiled, laughed and shook her head. She was also ordered not to contact her victim, “Jeremiah,” in any way, which included electronically or through a third party.
Collen Jo Matarico said she wanted to leave her husband and be with the 13 -year-old victim. Frederick M. Brown for California Post
The teacher called her victim “Crystal Meth.” Frederick M. Brown for California Post
Her only words were “Good morning” and “Yes” when the judge asked if Matarico understood the sentence.
The teacher sat next to her attorney Leonard Levine, who whispered to her just moments before she was hauled away to begin her 10 years behind bars.
A bailiff escorted her out of the secure courtroom door, and the attorneys piled out of the courtroom.
Matarico was a teacher for 25 years. John Burroughs Middle School.
Matarico’s booking photo. Los Angeles Police Department
Colleen Jo Matarico was sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Frederick M. Brown for California PostMatarico — who worked at John Burroughs Middle School — started abusing the boy she called “crystal meth” when he turned 13, while she was still his teacher, prosecutors revealed.
Most of the alleged sex abuse took place between August and November 2025, per the criminal complaint. She was also accused of giving the boy marijuana and said she was going to leave her husband for the student.
She was a teacher for 25 years.
Levine described the case to The California Post as “very unfortunate” and said Matarico is “doing as well as she can.” He was confident that she wouldn’t contact the victim, that she was remorseful and knew what she had done was wrong.
The teacher has already served 616 days in LA County jail.
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