(2/19/08 - Initial BBT Report)
Melissa Gayle Monroe, 32, a math teacher at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Arkansas has been arrested on charges of sexual assault in the second degree and knowingly furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Monroe came to the attention of police when another teacher received a text message allegedly from Monroe indicating that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with a male student.
Police say that Monroe took the boy to her home, gave him alcohol and had sexual intercourse with him, apparently on the boy’s 18th birthday.
Monroe is being held in the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
She has been suspended with pay from her teaching position.
2/20/08 - Release On Bond
Melissa Monroe was released on $5,000 bond earlier today.
3/11/08 - Monroe Fired
Melissa Monroe, who since her arrest has been on paid administrative leave from the school system has been fired by the Bentonville School Board. The board voted unanimously to fire Monroe at its Monday meeting.
Monroe who remains free on $5,000 bond is set for arraignment on March 31st.
3/28/08 - Formal Charges
Melissa Monroe was formerly charged today with second-degree sexual assault and four counts of knowingly furnishing or selling alcohol to a minor.
Arraignment is set for Monday.
3/31/08 - Arraignment
Melissa Monroe appeared for arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty.
Her next court appearance is a pre-trial hearing set for May 15th.
05/16/08 - Law’s Constitutionality To Be Challenged
Attorneys for Melissa Monroe have announced they will file a motion to challenge the constitutionality of the state law prohibiting public school teachers from engaging in sexual contact with students.
Arkansas law specifies it is a crime for a public-school teacher to engage in sexual contact with a student younger than 21.
Circuit Judge David Clinger set a hearing on the motion for August 14th.
08/15/08 - Hearing Delayed
A hearing set for August 14th on Monroe’s challenge to the constitutionality of the law charging her with having sex with an 18-year-old student has been rescheduled to September 10th.
Webmaster’s note: Thanks to ” justthisguy” for the info.
09/10/08 - Judge Rules Law Is Constitutional
Circuit Judge David Clinger today upheld a law that makes it a crime for a teacher to have sex with a student, even when the student is an adult.
Monroe’s defense attorney argued the teacher and student are adults with rights to engage in private, consensual, noncommercial acts of sexual intimacy.
The prosecution argued that the law is valid and rational, because the state has a compelling interest to promote a safe learning environment in schools.
Monroe is scheduled for a status hearing on November 10th.
References:
Law Charging Teacher Constitutional, Judge Says (09/10/08)
Hearing for former BHS teacher rescheduled (08/14/08)
Law’s constitutionality questioned (05/16/08)
Former Teacher Enters Not Guilty Plea To Sex Charge (3/31/08)
Charges Filed Against Teacher (3/28/08)
School Board Fires Math Teacher Arrested for Sexual Assault (3/11/08)
Math Teacher Posts Bond on Sex Charge (2/20/08)
Bentonville teacher accused of having sex with student (2/19/08)
Teacher Arrested In Sexual Assault (2/19/08)
BHS teacher accused of having sex with student (2/19/08)
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September 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
adult or child - wrong
teacher or ‘adult’ high school student - still wrong
and as for morals and standards? i still have read your posts on other female teachers and yes, you have already spoke for yourself with double standards.