Michigan Teacher Gets No Jail in Student Sex Case - Updated

(Mount Clemens, Michigan) Thirty-two-year-old former high school teacher Melissa Lavender appeared today in Macomb County Court and was sentenced by Macomb Circuit Judge Matthew Switalski.

In accordance with a plea deal, Lavender pleaded guilty in March to two counts of attempted aggravated stalking and received five years of probation.

Lavender spoke little in court, however, she signed a document nullifying her teaching certificate.


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Michigan Teacher Guilty in Student Sex Case - Updated
[Previous 3/16/09 post]
(Mount Clemens, Michigan) Culinary arts teacher Melissa Lavender pleaded guilty today to two counts of attempted aggravated stalking in accordance with a plea deal.

In return, two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct were dismissed.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 29.

Although the felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison, the Macomb Prosecutor's Office is not seeking incarceration because Lavender is a first-time offender. Instead, they are seeking a minimum of five years probation.

Also, Lavender signed a document that will nullify her teaching certificate. She was a culinary arts teacher and had worked for the district for six years.

Lavender teared up as she told the court she attempted to contact via electronic device two students in a "harassing manner."

Police say even though the alleged victims were both of the age of consent, state law forbids teachers from having relationships with students.

In summary, resolution of the case appears to be that Lavender will get no jail for sex with two students. It's not known whether she will be required to register as a sex offender.


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Teacher Accused of Sex with Two Male Students
[Previous 8/6/08 post]
(St. Clair Shores, Michigan) A 33-year-old culinary arts teacher at South Lake High School, Melissa Lavender, was arraigned this morning on charges that she engaged in sexual activity with two male students, ages 16 and 17.

Lavender faces two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree.

According to police, the incident between Lavender and the two male students occurred the evening of June 26 and the early morning of June 27 on a former student’s parent’s boat docked at a St. Clair Shores marina.

St. Clair Shores Police Detective Hank Bergeron said Lavender was the only teacher on the boat that evening along with eight former and current South Lake students. Several witnesses reported to police on July 28 that Lavender had inappropriate contact with two current students who were 16 and 17 at the time.

Alcohol was reportedly involved in the incident, Bergeron said.

Lavender, a married mother-of-two, was booked and released on $25,000 bond. While she awaits an August 26 preliminary hearing, Lavender must not have contact with unrelated minors without supervision, must not enter South Lake High School and must undergo breathalyzer testing four times a day. She has been suspended from her teaching position.