Ex-middle school teacher sentenced to 30 years for illicit sex acts with underage student will serve only 12 months in jail



A former Maryland teacher pleaded guilty in June to illegal child sex crimes with a student and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. However, she'll only serve a year behind bars after a judge suspended the vast majority of her sentence.

On June 20, Melissa Marie Curtis pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree sex offenses with an underage middle school student. During her sentencing Friday, Curtis also was given five years of supervised probation, according to the Montgomery County State Attorney’s Office.

The former student claimed that Curtis sexually abused him nearly two dozen times.

Once released, Curtis will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. She also won't be allowed to have unsupervised contact with minors other than her own children.

According to a previous statement from the Montgomery County Department of Police, its Special Victims Investigations Division in October 2023 began a probe into an adult male's allegations that in 2015 he engaged in sexual acts with Curtis when he was a minor and she was 22.

The incidents continued for several months while the victim was a student at Montgomery Village Middle School and Curtis was a teacher at the same school, the statement said.

The alleged victim at the time was in the 8th grade and 14 years old; he allegedly volunteered for an after-school program Curtis ran.

Police executed an arrest warrant for Curtis on Oct. 31, 2023. Curtis turned herself in to authorities on Nov. 7, 2023.

The former student claimed that Curtis sexually abused him nearly two dozen times.

Citing court documents, D.C. News Now reported last year that Curtis sexually abused the student in a classroom, in a car, at her mother's home, and at his house.

The news outlet also said, citing charging documents, that Curtis "touched his penis while in a classroom and performed oral sex on him." Also, she is accused of providing alcohol and marijuana to the minor.

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Teacher accused of criminal sexual penetration of student, reportedly asked principal not to tell her husband



The latest teacher sex scandal involves a newly hired substitute teacher from New Mexico who has since been fired. The 30-year-old married woman was charged with criminal sexual penetration and sexual contact with a minor, according to authorities.

Michaela Ford of Estancia was arrested Friday and hit with seven charges, including criminal sexual penetration and sexual contact with a minor. Ford is being held at the Torrance County Detention Facility.

Surveillance video showed the encounter between Ford and the child, according to court documents.

Ford had been working at Estancia High School. Citing court records, KOAT-TV reported that a witness came forward after allegedly seeing Ford kissing an underage student near the middle and high schools on Nov. 6. The station reported that Ford asked the principal not to tell her husband about the alleged interaction.

The school launched an investigation into the allegations. Surveillance video showed the encounter between Ford and the child, according to court documents.

The Estancia Municipal School District issued a statement Monday saying it's "disturbed to learn of the allegations made against a former substitute teacher in the district, who was arrested."

"The district is working closely in cooperation with law enforcement to ensure that a full investigation is conducted," the district stated. "The safety of our students is our highest priority. The district follows all laws and policies with regards to the hiring of employees, including a comprehensive background check."

The district said Ford had been employed at the high school for less than a month. Ford was "separated from students immediately" after the accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced.

"The district is now concentrating our efforts and resources to assist students requiring support and guidance," the school district said.

"As this matter has just come to light, full details are not known," the district added. "All information related to this matter will remain confidential in order to protect our students. This district takes pride in being a tight-knit and caring community of learners. We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect student safety."

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Substitute teacher accused of paying students for sex, providing marijuana and alcohol to children; she faces 19 charges



A former substitute teacher in Missouri is accused of paying students to engage in sex acts with her while urging them to keep their activities a secret. The ex-teacher also supplied children with alcohol and marijuana and sent illicit photos to kids, according to police.

According to online court records, Carissa Smith began as a substitute teacher for Dixon Middle School in 2022 and 2023. Smith was hired as a paraprofessional for Dixon High School for the 2023-24 school year and was later hired as a long-term substitute teacher. However, Smith resigned from her position in August.

One alleged victim told police he was in middle school when 'Smith asked him to have sex with her.'

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department said in a press release, "According to the probable cause statement submitted, information was obtained while interviewing victims that Mrs. Smith would offer money, marijuana and/or alcohol to students in return for sex or to allow her to perform oral sex."

Investigators say the alleged incidents occurred from August 2023 to September 2024.

According to the probable cause statement, Smith paid an alleged victim at least $100 to engage in sexual activities with her.

The alleged victims told investigators that Smith would have sex with them at her home and "other various locations such as gravel roads or on the side of the road." Police said the alleged victims were able to describe Smith's house and her vehicle.

One alleged victim told police he was in middle school when "Smith asked him to have sex with her."

Citing authorities, the Kansas City Star reported that Smith urged an alleged victim multiple times to not tell anyone about their encounters and advised the boy that “she would get into trouble.”

One alleged victim said Smith sent nude photos of herself on Snapchat and propositioned the child for sex, according to the court documents.

The sheriff's department said Smith was arrested Nov. 12.

Police said Smith was charged with eight counts of statutory rape, three counts of sexual contact with a student, two counts of sexual misconduct with a student, two counts of sexual trafficking of a child, two counts of hindering prosecution, one count of statutory sodomy, and one count of patronizing prostitution.

The sheriff's department noted that more charges could be filed once all alleged victims have been interviewed. Smith is being detained at the Pulaski County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.

In a letter to parents, Dixon R-1 School District Superintendent Travis Bohrer said the district learned of Smith’s alleged misconduct earlier in the school year.

"We were unable to share this information with you sooner due to the need to allow law enforcement officials to fully investigate without interference," Bohrer said, adding that "this is very disturbing and distressing information for everyone in our school community."

Bohrer said the district has cooperated with the sheriff's department about the "serious matter."

The Dixon R-1 School District released a statement to KYTV-TV that read in part, "Earlier this school year, the district received a report of possible misconduct by Ms. Smith towards at least one district student."

The school district said it had been in contact with the impacted families.

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All-boys Catholic school teacher who allegedly had illicit tryst with student on campus gets indicted



A former teacher at an all-boys Catholic high school engaged in an illicit sexual relationship with a student that included a tryst while on campus, according to a prosecutor in Ohio.

On Tuesday, Hamilton County prosecutor Melissa Powers announced in a statement that 42-year-old Emily Nutley was indicted for six counts of sexual battery — a felony of the third degree. Nutley faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all charges. She would also be ordered to register as a sex offender if convicted.

'Let me be very clear: this is child sexual abuse.'

Nutley had been a teacher at St. Xavier High School — an all-boys Catholic school in Springfield Township. She also was a supervisor of a program that assists students who are struggling academically.

Nutley allegedly met a 17-year-old male through the program and then began to have additional contact with the student "outside of school hours," according to the prosecutor.

The teacher communicated with the alleged victim through text messages.

Nutley sent the boy nude photos and sexually explicit text messages, the prosecutor said.

The teacher allegedly began a sexual relationship with the underage student in mid-November 2023.

The prosecutor noted, "Nutley is alleged to have performed oral sex on the male victim at least one time while on the campus of St. Xavier High School and one additional time while off campus."

Nutley also is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse "after hours while in her office at the school" with the alleged victim.

The alleged victim purportedly attempted to end the illicit relations, but Nutley reportedly continued to send text messages to the boy.

St. Xavier High School administrators initiated an internal investigation into the alleged child sex crimes. Once evidence was collected, school administrators notified the Springfield Township Police Department of the alleged child sex abuse.

WLWT-TV reported St. Xavier High School fired Nutley when the criminal investigation began.

Hamilton County prosecutor Melissa Powers said of the alleged child sex crimes: “This is absolutely unacceptable and reprehensible conduct from an adult towards a minor child."

Powers added: "This child was in need of help and guidance but instead found an adult looking to act out her perverted sexual desires. This child was the victim of an adult predator who should never again have a role that puts her in contact with children. She used this child for her own sexual gratification while taking advantage of the position she held."

Powers stressed, "Let me be very clear: this is child sexual abuse."

Powers vowed that her office would prosecute this case "fully and thoroughly to ensure that justice is served.”

St. Xavier High School released a statement Monday that said, "We appreciate the unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, and administration to the safety, well-being, and dignity of every student entrusted to our care. We believe this case to be an isolated incident."

The school also stated, "At this time, we respectfully ask for continued prayers for the well-being of our students, their families, our entire staff, and for all individuals impacted by abuse. We remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for our entire St. Xavier community."

The high school urged any students who had been sexually abused by a teacher to contact the Springfield Township Police Department.

Nutley is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 8.

WXIX-TV published a video report about the alleged teacher sex scandal.

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Middle school teacher accused of sexually abusing former student



A Texas teacher has been arrested after allegedly having a sexual relationship with an underage boy over the summer.

Angela Dawn Barnes, 45, was arrested without incident Monday and booked into Keller Regional Jail.

The school district said it is cooperating with police and Child Protective Services in the investigation.

Barnes was charged with sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between an educator and student.

Barnes is a teacher at Carroll Middle School in Southlake, which is about 25 miles northwest of Dallas.

The Keller Police Department said it received a tip in September that Barnes was "having an inappropriate relationship with an underage boy who was a former student."

The Keller Police Department said in a statement, "Detectives began investigating the case immediately and discovered that Barnes was engaged in a sexual relationship with an underage boy throughout the months of June and July 2024 and that the relationship had since ended."

Investigators said there was no evidence that there were any additional victims.

Authorities did not indicate the age of the alleged victim. Carroll Middle School consists of grades 7 and 8; middle school students in those grades are typically between the ages of 12 and 14.

WFAA reported that Carroll Independent School District officials said the teacher was placed on administrative leave after police notified them about the accusations. The school district said it is cooperating with police and Child Protective Services in the investigation.

"Carroll ISD immediately placed this staff member on administrative leave and reported to the proper authorities," Carroll Independent School District said in a statement. "The district was made aware the alleged offense took place off-campus over the summer within the jurisdiction of the Keller Police Department."

The statement added that "based on the information we have received, no incidents occurred on CISD campuses. The CISD is working in collaboration with Keller Police and Child Protective Services as they investigate the allegations."

The district's statement also said "the safety and security of all students is always our top priority and any allegations of adult misconduct are addressed promptly and reported immediately to the proper authorities."

Barnes was not listed Tuesday on the staff directory of the middle school's website.

The Keller Police Department urged anyone with information in this case to contact Detective William Brockmoller at wbrockmoller@cityofkeller.com.

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Teacher who left claw marks on underage student's back after sex romp gets sweetheart plea deal



A former Missouri math teacher who pleaded guilty to having sex with a student could potentially serve a very short prison sentence thanks to a sweetheart plea deal.

As Blaze News reported in January, 26-year-old Hailey Clifton-Carmack was arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

'They are going to do it behind my back, so I may as well let it happen.'

Clifton-Carmack — a former teacher at Laquey High School — allegedly had sex with a minor on multiple occasions and in different locations, including at the school.

WITI-TV reported that a witness told detectives with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office that the teacher and victim had "used students as lookouts while they had sex during school."

The victim allegedly sent photos of scratches on his back to a classmate. The student said the scratches were from Clifton-Carmack after they had sex in the classmate's driveway, according to the police report.

Blaze News reported last month that the victim's father — Mark Creighton — allegedly knew of the suspect's purported relationship with his son.

An anonymous witness reportedly told the father that she was going to report the child sex abuse, and the father allegedly responded: “They are going to do it behind my back, so I may as well let it happen.”

The father allegedly admitted to Pulaski County Detective Sgt. Bryan Gibbs that Clifton-Carmack had been to his house.

Prosecutors said Creighton “knew of the relationship of his minor child and the 26-year-old teacher, and instead of reporting the information, he continued to cover for them and allowed the relationship to continue” and “even allowed Hailey to come over to his residence and see the victim while he was present.”

The teen’s father was charged with child endangerment in January.

Clifton-Carmack allegedly denied the child sex crime accusations when questioned by detectives in December 2023. Clifton-Carmack fled to Texas, where she was arrested in January and was extradited back to Missouri.

Clifton-Carmack initially was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree statutory rape, having sexual contact with a student, fourth-degree child molestation, and seven counts of misdemeanor furnishing pornographic material to a minor.

However, the disgraced teacher made a deal and pleaded guilty to sexual contact with a student, which allows her to avoid more serious charges.

On Friday, Circuit Judge John Beger sentenced Clifton-Carmack to four years in prison. The divorced mother of two also was ordered to complete a sex offender treatment program.

The judge also said he would "receive a report on her progress and behavior in about 90 days, and if she does well, her sentence could be suspended, and she would be placed on probation," KJLU-TV reported.

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Teacher caught having 'sexual contact' with student inside house under construction: Deputies



The latest possible teacher sex scandal involves a Texas instructor who was caught engaging in "sexual contact" with a student inside a house under construction, according to authorities.

According to a release by the Comal County Sheriff's Office, deputies were notified about a "suspicious person" at a house under construction in Garden Ridge at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday.

'I know it can be quite disturbing to learn that one of our teachers was charged with a crime such as this.'

Deputies said they found an adult female and a male juvenile inside the unfinished home. At the time detectives made contact with the individuals, they said the adult woman and minor were "engaged in sexual contact."

Police arrested 51-year-old Jennifer Massey — a teacher from Selma, which is in Comal County. Massey was charged with improper relationship between educator and student — a second-degree felony.

Massey was being detained at the Comal County Jail. A bond amount has not yet been set.

Police did not specify the age of the alleged victim.

The Comal County Sheriff's Office said an investigation is ongoing.

On Friday, Massey was placed on administrative leave from her teaching job at Davenport High School.

Comal Independent School District issued a statement to KENS-TV regarding the accusation: "The district does not condone inappropriate relationships between teachers and students. Ensuring the safety and security of our students is our top priority. We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement during their investigation."

Davenport High School Principal Angela Looney sent out a message to parents, according to KABB-TV, saying that "the district learned that last night Mrs. Massey was charged with having an improper relationship with a student." Looney added in the message that Massey "was placed on administrative leave this morning, and she will not be returning to Davenport High School."

The principal added, "The safety and security of our students is one of our highest priorities, and a responsibility that we take seriously. During the hiring process, the district’s human resources department conducts full background checks and criminal history to ensure that classrooms are led by individuals who have every student’s best interest in mind."

Looney also wrote, "I know it can be quite disturbing to learn that one of our teachers was charged with a crime such as this."

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Idaho former teacher pleads guilty to raping boy who was adopted just days before sexual assault



A former Idaho schoolteacher will face prison time after she pleaded guilty to raping a boy who had been adopted just days before she sexually assaulted him.

Jessica Lawson, 36, accepted a plea deal for felony sexual battery and charges of felony rape of a minor, the New York Post reported. Lawson had previously faced charges of felony delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor dispensing alcohol to a minor for reportedly giving the 16-year-old boy marijuana and alcohol, but those charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

'My son is going to take a long time to heal, and he doesn’t even know the wounds that he has yet.'

The judge ordered Lawson to not have contact with the victim for 20 years.

As Blaze News previously reported on the teacher sex scandal, an officer with the Saint Anthony Police Department pulled over a vehicle for having no visible taillights on Nov. 6, 2023. A teen boy was driving the vehicle, but police allegedly determined the car belonged to Lawson.

The teenager told the police officer that Lawson allowed him to drive her car "due to her being too drunk to drive," according to the police report.

The teen admitted to police that he had consumed marijuana, and the officer drove him home, according to court documents.

The next morning, the boy's parents contacted the Saint Anthony Police Department to report that their son had an improper relationship with Lawson.

Lawson was a teacher at South Fremont High School at the time.

The boy allegedly told investigators that Lawson got intoxicated and provided him with marijuana before the pair had sex.

Court documents said Lawson admitted to picking up the teen from his house, taking him to her house, and providing him with alcohol. However, she purportedly denied supplying marijuana to the boy but confessed that she had the drug in her home.

Lawson allegedly denied that "anything else had occurred."

The victim’s father said his child was adopted just days before the crime came to light, and the victim grew up in foster homes.

“It takes a village to raise a young man, especially a young man that has been in and out of foster care, that has never known what it’s like to have a mom and a dad,” the father said in court, according to the East Idaho News. “My son is going to take a long time to heal, and he doesn’t even know the wounds that he has yet. He’s not going to understand those wounds until he’s a parent, and he’s sending his daughter or son … to the house of a parent that he trusts.”

The victim’s mother added, “We brought [the victim] in because he needed somebody, and he didn’t have anybody ... It was pretty quick that we realized this is a really great kid, and he’s wonderful, and he should be in our family.”

The victim's mother also said, "He’s got a lot of problems because he didn’t have a mom and dad that taught him how to recognize safe people." She then told Lawson: "And you took advantage of that ... she knew she could get something from him."

Lawson apologized to the victim, his family, and the community. She blamed an abusive relationship of 15 years for being the “catalyst” for her crimes.

“I alone am responsible for my actions, but I believe [a prior] relationship was the catalyst that set me down the path to where I am today,” Lawson stated. “I want to apologize to the victim and his family for any pain that I have caused. I want to apologize to the community and anyone I’ve let down.”

The boy's parents claimed there was a double standard in the case because Lawson is a female.

Senior District Judge Stephen Dunn retorted, "This is probably the sixth time I’ve dealt with a case like this, where the defendant was a female teacher. Sometimes the victims are male, and sometimes they’re female. There isn’t a double standard. The standards are the same. A person underage does not have the legal ability to consent to this kind of behavior. The responsibility is all on the defendant."

A spokesperson for the Fremont County School District told Law & Crime that Lawson had worked as a high school teacher from 2021 to the spring of 2023.

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How scratches on a teen boy led to teacher being convicted of felony sexual contact with student



The latest teacher sex scandal involves a former Missouri teacher who pleaded guilty to a child sex crime Friday.

As Blaze News reported in January, Hailey Clifton-Carmack was arrested in Garden Ridge, Texas, and then extradited to Missouri and charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree statutory rape, having sexual contact with a student, fourth-degree child molestation, and seven counts of misdemeanor furnishing pornographic material to a minor.

The victim told a fellow student that 'he was the reason' his teacher’s 'divorce was pushed through,' according to the student informant.

Clifton-Carmack reportedly accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to felony sexual contact with a student.

The former teacher will be sentenced Oct. 11.

Clifton-Carmack had been a teacher at Laquey (Missouri) High School, and according to court documents, she often would wear "tight or low-cut shirts" and inappropriate leggings that would "show off her body."

A student told Pulaski County (Missouri) Detective Sergeant Bryan Gibbs that Clifton-Carmack “has openly discussed her personal life with the class."

The school reportedly reprimanded the teacher for being "too close with students."

A Laquey school resource officer informed the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department about a possible inappropriate sexual relationship between a teacher and a student.

A 16-year-old boy allegedly showed another student photos of scratches on his back. The victim said the teacher left the markings after the two had sex in the driveway of another student's home, according to the probable cause statement obtained by People magazine.

Investigators searched the teacher's phone and found “a conversation between her and the confidential victim discussing their relationship,” according to court docs.

The victim told a fellow student that "he was the reason" his teacher’s “divorce was pushed through,” according to the student informant.

People magazine reported that Clifton-Carmack’s husband filed for divorce from her in August 2023. The couple — who have a child together — were divorced in September 2023, according to a judgment and decree of their dissolution of marriage.

An anonymous witness told police she confronted the teen’s father about the child sex abuse.

The witness allegedly told the father that she was going to report the abuse, and the father purportedly responded: “They are going to do it behind my back so I may as well let it happen.”

The teen’s father was charged with child endangerment in January.

Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin S. Hillman said the father's case is “on hold” until the teacher is sentenced “as he has agreed to assist the state and testify if needed.”

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Nevada teacher assistant accused of contacting child for sex



A teacher assistant in Nevada has been arrested and accused of attempting to contact a minor for the purpose of sex, according to authorities.

A teacher's assistant was reportedly arrested by the Clark County School District Police Department on Aug. 23 and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. The suspect was allegedly an employee of the Clark County School District. The arrest reportedly came on the same day that the investigation was initiated.

Since the child sex crime allegations, the teacher assistant has been placed on leave as per the terms of her union contract

Jerusalem Garcia was reportedly charged with one count of contacting or attempting to contact a minor by a person of authority for the purpose of sex.

According to KTNV-TV, the 20-year-old worked as a "specialized program teacher assistant" at the Eldorado High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Clark County School District Police Department did not disclose details of the alleged sexual misconduct aimed at a child.

Garcia has been an employee of the Clark County School District since August 2021, as reported by KLAS-TV.

Since the child sex crime allegations, the teacher assistant has been placed on leave as per the terms of her union contract

The investigation into the alleged teacher sex scandal is ongoing.

As of the time of publication, the Clark County School District Police Department did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Since May, Blaze News has reported on 13 female teachers and school employees who have been accused or convicted of child sex crimes.

In May, a former Arkansas teacher was sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison for taking a student out of state to engage in illegal sexual acts and sexually abusing a minor as many as 30 times throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

A female teacher was accused of sexually abusing a student at the "elite" New York City prep school where convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein once taught.

A New Jersey special education teacher at an intermediate school was arrested in June and charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Last month, two former Georgia school employees were accused of sexually abusing students. The pair were self-described as "ride or die" friends who were involved in each other's weddings.

Earlier this month, a Connecticut middle school lunch lady accused of sexually abusing and grooming a 14-year-old boy accepted a plea deal to avoid trial.

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