Teacher Deluca Guilty of Sex Crime

(West Jordan, Utah) There's progress in the case of 30-year-old Melinda Lee Deluca, the former American Sign Language teacher at Copper Hills High School. Let's review.

In February 2006, Deluca was charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse of one of her students, a 16-year-old boy. She was fired from her teaching position.

In July, Deluca claimed she was attacked by two assailants who severely beat her. She required hospitalization.

In September, after hundreds of hours of investigation, the police were able to get Deluca to admit that she created the story to garner sympathy.

Earlier today, Deluca pleaded guilty to reduced charges of one count of attempted forcible sex abuse in accordance with an agreement with the prosecution. A December sentencing is scheduled.

Based upon recent history of cases involving female sexual molesters, I don't believe that Deluca will get any meaningful punishment for her crime. In fact, I suspect she'll walk away with probation.


[Update 01/11/07]

Deluca sentenced.