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Principal sentenced for stealing students’ meds

A former South Jersey high school administrator was sentenced to three years in prison today for stealing prescription medicines from his students.

A former South Jersey high school administrator was sentenced to three years in prison today for stealing prescription medicines from his students.

Philip Bevilacqua, 42, was a vice principal at Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights. In 2007, a police surveillance camera captured images of him taking Attention Deficit Disorder medications belonging to students from the school nurse's office, said Bernie Weisenfeld, spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutors office.

Bevilacqua subsequently confessed and was charged with theft, illegal possession of drugs and official misconduct.

He pleaded guilty Dec. 3 to a single count of theft by unlawful taking.

Contact staff writer Sam Wood at 215-854-2796 or samwood@phillynews.com.