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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Mom sets up her own sting operation to confront man allegedly sexting her 13-year-old daughter — and soon bullets are flying



A Florida mother set up her own sting operation at a Popeyes fast food restaurant to confront a man who was allegedly sexting her 13-year-old daughter. The face-off ended with the suspect being shot multiple times.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Chief of Investigations Alan Parker said during a press conference Monday that 18-year-old Cerry Rodriques Banks "was having an inappropriate text relationship with a 13-year-old female."

'As the officer reaches the corner of the business, he observes the suspect pull the pistol from his waistband.'

The girl's mother allegedly became aware of the illicit communications. She then took her daughter's phone and texted with the suspect, pretending to be her underage daughter.

The mother then set up a meeting with the 18-year-old man around 7 a.m. Sunday at a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant in Jacksonville.

Banks arrived at the fast food restaurant, believing he was meeting with the girl — but instead, he was met by the mother as well as her daughter and 11-year-old son.

The suspect brandished a gun and reportedly told the mother, "When you hear the shots tonight, you know what’s up."

The unnamed mother rushed her children into the Popeyes, and the suspect allegedly walked to the rear of the fast food restaurant — and the mom contacted authorities.

Police said the suspect had ample time to vacate the area, but he stayed outside of the restaurant.

Police officers confronted Banks and gave the suspect "multiple verbal commands" to "turn around and show his hands."

The suspect disregarded the commands, however, and fled.

Parker of the sheriff's office stated, "As the officer reaches the corner of the business, he observes the suspect pull the pistol from his waistband."

The officer reportedly instructed Banks to drop his weapon, which the suspect refused to do.

With that, the officer — a 7-year veteran — shot the suspect multiple times.

"The suspect continues to flee and, near a neighboring business, drops the gun," Parker said.

Banks was able to get away from the pursuing officer, but other officers set up a perimeter.

With assistance from a K-9 unit, the suspect was apprehended in a drainage tunnel without further incident.

Parker said the suspect was shot in his hand, torso, and possibly “in the leg.” He received medical assistance at the scene before being transported to a local hospital to treat his wounds.

Police said they recovered the gun, and the weapon did not appear to have been discharged during the incident.

According to jail records from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Banks was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct by an offender 18 or older with the victim less than 16, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and travel to meet after using a computer to seduce/solicit/lure a child.

Bond was set at $700,018.

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he understood the mother’s concern but that parents should allow law enforcement to handle situations such as this.

“We’d absolutely love to handle every situation, but this is a mother who’s concerned about her daughter. So, I get it, I understand," Waters said during the press conference. "But, I would say that in most cases, in situations like that, call us and let us come out and deal with the situation, so it doesn’t unfold like this.”

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Special education teacher groomed, sexually assaulted 13-year-old boy in classroom, provided weed to him: Police



A California special education teacher is accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student. The Los Angeles teacher also had sex with the underage boy in her classroom and provided him with marijuana, according to police.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested 43-year-old Colleen Jo Matarico.

Matarico is in custody on $1.3 million bail.

Police said in a statement that Matarico of Valley Village "groomed and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old victim in her classroom, and later convinced the victim to have sexual intercourse in her vehicle."

Police said the special education teacher also provided marijuana to the boy and added that "detectives believe there are additional, unidentified victims of Matarico who have yet to come forward."

Matarico was charged with five counts of lewd acts with a minor, two counts of lewd acts with a minor 14 or 15 years old, and one count of furnishing marijuana to a minor.

Matarico's LinkedIn profile states she is a special education teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

According to the John Burroughs Middle School website, Matarico was listed as “a teacher.”

School principal Dr. Steve Martinez told the school community Thursday in a message shared with the New York Post that the teacher was removed from campus after the school contacted police. The Post said Matarico wasn't named in the letter.

“District protocols are being followed and we remain in cooperation with local authorities. Due to the ongoing investigation by law enforcement, we are unable to disclose additional details about this matter,” the principal wrote, according to the Post.

“We understand that some students may be impacted by this incident. Students can always reach out to teachers, counselors or school staff for support,” he added, the paper said.

Matarico is in custody on $1.3 million bail.

Police are urging any other victims to contact the LAPD's Juvenile Division Abused Child Section at 424-259-7097. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or submit tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

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Michigan Democrat — arrested for allegedly sexting underage boy in sting operation — wins re-election in landslide



A Michigan Democrat won re-election in a landslide despite resigning from his office two months ago after he was arrested for allegedly sexting an underage boy.

Ken Fletcher had been the supervisor in Delta Township, which is about 10 minutes west of Lansing. Fletcher resigned Sept. 3 — a day before he faced child sex crime charges.

Law enforcement agents reportedly were 'posing as a 15-year-old male on the mobile dating app Grindr from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14' in order to talk to Fletcher.

Township Manager Brian Reed said Fletcher resigned "effective immediately" during the township board meeting, and the board accepted his resignation. Reed added that the "township has also been made aware of an open criminal investigation unrelated to his duties as supervisor."

In the recent election, Fletcher received nearly 89% of the vote. He was opposed by two write-in candidates — Saturn Wells, who received just over 11% of the vote, and Richard Ott who did not receive any votes.

Fletcher was arrested Sept. 4 and charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime; he pleaded not guilty to the two felonies and was released on bond.

Fletcher, 58, was caught in a sting operation, according to police. He allegedly thought he was talking to a 15-year-old boy on Grindr — the self-proclaimed "world's largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people" — when cops reportedly were posing a teen boy.

WILX-TV obtained documents claiming Fletcher "engaged in an undercover chat with Detective Scheib with the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office." Law enforcement agents reportedly were "posing as a 15-year-old male on the mobile dating app Grindr from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14" in order to talk to Fletcher.

The outlet noted that Fletcher "continued to send enticing messages and expressed that he was willing to meet the 15-year-old boy at the Lansing Mall for the purpose of 'just talking.'"

Fletcher was kept on the ballot due to state election law.

Fletcher can accept or decline the office until Jan. 1, 2025.

The New York Post reported that Fletcher’s lawyer, Michael Nichols, said his client was “pleasantly surprised” by the election results.

Nichols wondered to WILX, “The biggest question I think for Ken Fletcher is — is this the right thing for not just me but for the community? Am I still the best person for the job?”

Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark — who has been serving as interim supervisor since Fletcher resigned — said, "There are three choices on his part, and so it’s really kind of presumptive of us to act or decide to act in a certain way before we know what is happening with that position."

Clark added, “He can vacate the office if he does not get sworn in by then; he could get sworn in and resign, or obviously he could get sworn in and stay.”

Fletcher is scheduled to return to court Nov. 12.

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Pair of convicted pedophiles — one who raped, murdered 3-year-old girl — die on same night in same prison



Two convicted pedophiles died roughly within an hour of each other in an upstate New York prison last week. One of the inmates who was found dead was convicted of drugging, raping, and murdering a 3-year-old girl.

According to the state's Department of Corrections, 34-year-old Robert Fisher was pronounced dead at approximately 1:50 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Elmira Correctional Facility in Chemung County.

'He drugged her, went into her bedroom and raped her.'

WRGB-TV reported that 59-year-old William Brand was pronounced dead at approximately 2:52 a.m. Oct. 22.

The County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet announced the cause of death for either inmate.

Both were admitted into the prison within the last month. Records indicate that Brand was admitted Oct. 10; Fisher was admitted Sept. 23.

Fisher admitted to drugging, raping, and murdering 3-year-old Josefina Cunningham and was convicted of his crimes in July 2023. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in September.

Rensselaer County Assistant District Attorney Antonia Edwards said during Fisher's sentencing, "The heinous acts of the defendant took Josie away from this world and this community. This community also deserves to know what horrible and vile acts this defendant committed and the absolute horror Josie met when she came home from day care on July 6, 2023, into July 7, 2023."

Fisher used prescription drugs from Josefina's mother — Laquesha Cunningham — to drug the 3-year-old girl before raping her.

“The defendant took the medication prescribed to Laquesha, crushed it up, and put it in a cup for Josie to drink. He drugged her, went into her bedroom and raped her,” Edwards said. “He did all of this while she was alive and awake; we only know that now because of the autopsy results."

Edwards added, "Seeing the pictures of Josie's face after what the defendant did to her was mortifying. Those images will be ingrained into the minds forever for those who saw them."

Brand was convicted of sexually abusing a child under the age of 11.

The New York State Police said in a statement that Brand was arrested in April 2024 and charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, and first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child. Authorities noted that Brand had inappropriate sexual contact multiple times with a child.

Brand was serving a 10-year prison sentence.

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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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Mother allegedly told her preteen daughters to hide stepdad's sexual abuse — or they'd be 'financially screwed'



A Utah mother is accused of instructing her young daughters to cover up their stepfather's alleged sexual assaults against them.

Randi Heather Norris was arrested around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to Utah County Jail records. Norris, 39, faces charges of tampering with a witness, child abuse with injury — intentional or knowing, and obstruction of justice.

'Sexually abusing three of her daughters, all of which were age 13 or younger at the time of the abuse.'

The Springville Police Department said they received a report from the Division of Child and Family Services of reported child sexual abuse.

KTVX-TV reported that law enforcement interviewed the alleged victim, who reported several incidents of child sexual abuse by her stepfather – 39-year-old Jason Wong. She allegedly told police she informed her mother — Norris — about the sexual abuse.

“The victim stated that [Norris’] response was that it was up to the victim to decide if she wanted to report it, but that if she did they would be ‘financially screwed.’ The victim also disclosed overhearing Randi and Jason tell her younger sibling to lie to the police about the sexual abuse that was happening to her for the same reason,” the affidavit of probable cause read.

Investigators reportedly interviewed Norris, who told police that she knew Wong was “sexually abusing three of her daughters, all of which were age 13 or younger at the time of the abuse.”

In April, Norris' 11-year-old daughter reported a separate incident of sexual abuse by Wong, and while she gave some details, she later said none of the allegations happened.

“Investigators learned the victim did this after being instructed to do so by Randi and Jason,” the probable cause statement stated.

Norris and Wong allegedly began a romantic relationship in November 2014.

The Daily Mail reported that the couple are both employed at Smith's Food and Drug Stores in Springville. Norris reportedly is a cashier, and Wong is a dairy manager.

The Daily Mail said Springville police did not provide a comment to the outlet.

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14-year-old girl's brilliant trick on alleged pedophile leads to in-person meeting — but not with her. Now he's behind bars.



Arizona police commended a teen girl for her quick wits that helped land a potential sexual predator behind bars.

The 14-year-old girl was walking home from school on Oct. 16 when 37-year-old Isaiah Navarro approached her, according to a statement from the Glendale Police Department.

'Navarro arrived at the location but instead of the 14-year-old young lady, Navarro met up with some handcuffs and was placed under arrest.'

Police obtained Ring security video that shows the teen walking across the street in a residential neighborhood when Navarro was inside his car and started a conversation with the girl.

The teen told police Navarro asked her where the closest McDonald's was located. She gave him an answer.

Then, the man allegedly asked for the girl's phone number. The quick-thinking teen wisely provided her mother's cell phone number instead of her own.

Once the teen told her mother what had happened, the mom got law enforcement involved.

Navarro allegedly began texting the number — not knowing he was talking to detectives and not the 14-year-old girl.

Glendale detectives posed as the underage girl and allegedly communicated with the suspect through text messages from the mother's cell phone.

The police shared alleged screenshots of the text message conversation.

When asked how old he was, Navarro reportedly said he was 37 years old.

He then allegedly asked, "Is that OK?"

Detectives responded: "I'm a minor."

Police purportedly wrote to the man, "My mom will get so mad so will my dad. I'm only 14."

Navarro reportedly replied, "Maybe one day. Can you keep our convo between me and you?"

Navarro allegedly requested photos of the 14-year-old girl.

"The conversation became more and more graphic with Navarro describing and asking for specific sex acts, without any regard for the age of the victim," police said.

Police added that Navarro "invited the victim to perform sexual acts with him."

Navarro repeatedly asked to meet up with the girl and reportedly called the number up to 30 times.

Detectives set up a place and a time to meet, and Navarro allegedly went there a few hours later.

"Navarro arrived at the location but instead of the 14-year-old young lady, Navarro met up with some handcuffs and was placed under arrest," the police said.

Navarro was arrested on the spot. The accused pedophile was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and is facing charges of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and attempting to commit sexual conduct with a minor.

He's being held on a $250,000 bond.

"Here is a prime example of a young lady who thought quickly on her feet and did the right thing," police said. "We at the Glendale Police Department commend this young lady for her bravery and her smart thinking!"

Police are urging anyone who's had a similar encounter with the suspect to contact detectives at 623-930-3000.

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