(05/28/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

Melinda Beth Bridges, 31, a former substitute teacher at Jefferson Montessori School in Carlsbad, New Mexico has been charged with a felony sex charge.

Bridges is charged with one count of criminal sexual penetration of a minor on allegations that she had an illicit relationship with a 16-year-old male student at the school.

Bridges came to the attention of police when the Principal of Jefferson Montessori School called the Carlsbad Police Department to report Bridges was reportedly having an affair with a student. Police questioned both Bridges and the boy and both denied any improper relationship.

It is alleged that after police spoke with Bridges and the boy that she allegedly picked the boy up at a school near his home. It is further alleged that they went to a motel and had sex and discussed leaving town.

It is also alleged that on the following day, Bridges and the boy began a five-day journey that took them through Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana, where they were detained following a traffic violation in Shreveport in May 7th.

Bridges made an initial court appearance on the charge on Tuesday and Judge Richard Van Dyk ordered her released on her own recognizance.

Bridges has a preliminary examination set for July 15th.

Reportedly, Bridges who is married and with children, had taught at the school for about two weeks.

(02/16/08 – Initial BBT Report)

Grey Nevelos, 56, a physical education teacher and track coach at Estancia High School in Estancia, New Mexico has been charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and three counts of contributing to delinquency of a minor.

It is alleged that Nevelos touched two of his female athletes while they were nude and offered them alcohol.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2006 and 2007.

Nevelos came to the attention of authorities when rumors surfaced at the school. The school conducted an initial investigation and then turned the info over to police.

Following his arraignment on Friday Nevelos was released on $50,000 bond and is wearing an ankle surveillance bracelet and prohibited from being in Torrance County except for criminal proceedings.

10/02/08 – Guilty Plea

Today Grey Nevelos pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

In exchange for Nevelos guilty plea to the one count, five additional counts were dropped by prosecutors.

Nevelos was ordered to surrender to the Torrance County Sheriff’s office on October 6th for transport to a 60-day diagnostic evaluation prior to sentencing.

Nevelos could face up to 18 months in jail at sentencing.

05/19/09 – Sentencing

Grey Nevelos has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and one year of parole.

Nevelos had given up his teaching license prior to sentencing.

References:

Ex-Estancia Coach Gets 18 Months (05/14/09)

Former Coach Pleads Guilty to One Charge (10/02/08)

Track coach reaches plea in molestation case (10/02/08)

Girls accuse track coach of sexual misconduct (2/15/08)

Estancia Teacher Arraigned On Sexual Charges (2/15/08)

(10/13/07 – Initial BBT Report)

Robert H. Ashley, who has worked for the Albuquerque Public Schools and who has taught and/or substitute taught at Atrisco Elementary School and Kit Carson Elementary School has been arrested on allegations of secretly videotaping the legs of female elementary school students.

Ashley came to the attention of authorities when a teacher’s assistant found a backpack with a video camera in the teachers’ lounge at Atrisco Elementary School. Allegedly the backpack had a hole made in it that allowed the video camera to be surreptitiously operated.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White says that Ashley readily admitted his sexual attraction to elementary school girls when questioned last week at his home. Sheriff White who reportedly viewed a video that Ashley allegedly shot of a girl and described it as a clear instance of “upskirting.”

When Sheriff’s deputies went to take Ashley into custody on Monday he was gone and declared a fugitive from justice. He was tracked from New Mexico to Arizona where law officers last track of him. He was apprehended in a Montrose, Colorado motel room thanks to a tip from an individual in Colorado.

01/20/09 – No Contest Plea

Robert Ashley has pleaded no contest to a charge of voyeurism.

Ashley faces up to 18 months in jail, but he won’t have to register as a sex offender because voyeurism is not considered a sex crime in New Mexico.

Sentencing is set for April 3rd.

05/07/09 – Sentencing

Robert Ashley has been sentenced to 18 months in prison to be followed by one year of parole.

Ashley will not have to register as a sex offender, however he will have to forfeit his teaching license.

Ashley told the judge that he is not a pedophile but a man with a foot fetish, who liked looking at everyone’s feet, including those of young children.

Sergeant Rachel Azbill with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department said the videos she viewed showed not just feet, but the private parts of mostly 8 and 9-year-old girls.

The judge sentenced Ashley to the maximum prison term permitted by law.

References:

Substitute Teacher Sentenced On Voyeurism Charges (05/07/09)

Ex-teacher enters plea in voyeurism case (01/20/09)

Man convicted of video-voyeurism
(01/20/09)

Alleged video voyeur nabbed in Colo. (9/13/07)