Mississippi Teacher Gets Hand Slap in Sex Case - Updated

(New Albany, Mississippi) Former Ripley High School teacher Melissa Mathis pleaded guilty to sexual battery on a minor stemming from improper relations with a former student.

As a result, Mathis was sentenced this week by Circuit Judge Robert Elliott to 15 years, delineated as one year of house arrest and 14 years suspended sentence.

Following her release from house arrest, she will be placed on five years post-release supervision. District Attorney Ben Creekmore tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal ( http://bit.ly/wtK7Nn) Mathis must register as a sex offender.

Mathis had been free on bond after being charged with two counts of sexual battery earlier this month. The second charge was dismissed in connection with her guilty plea. She resigned her job before she was arrested.

Interestingly, the usual time required to resolve teacher-student sex cases is months and sometimes years. From arrest to sentencing, this case was wrapped up in two weeks.

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Mississippi Teacher Accused of Sex with Student
[Previous 1/13/12 post]
(Ripley, Mississippi) A 37-year-old teacher formerly at Ripley High School, Melissa Mathis, has been accused of engaging in an improper relationship with a student.

Mathis faces two counts of sexual battery.

According to Tippah County Sheriff's Investigator Jason Willis, the investigation started last Friday after receiving a tip from the high school.

Mathis was arrested Thursday.

Mathis was booked into custody yesterday at the Tippah County Jail and released on $5,000 bond.