Arizona Teacher Gets Prison for Sexual Misconduct - Update

(Tucson, Arizona) In February 2013, former Ironwood Ridge High School art teacher Melissa Ann Dalton, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of attempted sexual conduct with a minor.

Yesterday, Dalton was sentenced in Pima County Superior Court to three years in prison and eight years' probation. She was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

Deputy Pima County Attorney Victoria Otto asked Judge Christopher Browning for the maximum prison sentence possible because of the impact Dalton's actions had on the victims.

Defense attorney Michael Piccarreta asked the judge to sentence Dalton to the minimum of two years in prison because she took responsibility for her actions, is remorseful, has sought therapy and has support from family and friends, several of whom were present at the sentencing hearing.

During the proceeding, Dalton sobbed out apologies.

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Arizona Teacher Accused of Sexual Misconduct
[Previous 5/1/12 post]
(Tucson, Arizona) A 33-year-old art teacher at Ironwood Ridge High School, Melissa Ann Dalton, has been accused of sexual misconduct with two students.

Dalton faces four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

School resource officers were notified of allegations against Dalton and the case was handed over to the police department's Criminal Investigations Unit.

Police say the students and Dalton were interviewed and it was determined that probable cause existed to charge the teacher.

The gender of the two students involved hasn't been disclosed.

Dalton was booked into custody at the Pima County Jail.