Trial set for former high school teacher
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
BENTONVILLE — An April 2009 jury trial was scheduled Monday for a former Bentonville High School teacher accused of having sex with an 18-yearold student.
Melissa Gayle Monroe, 33, of Bella Vista is charged with sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony; and four counts of knowingly furnishing or selling alcohol to a minor, a class C misdemeanor. A class B felony is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years, a fine up to $ 15, 000 or both. A class C misdemeanor is punishable with up to 30 days in jail, a fine up to $ 100 or both.
Monroe is accused of having sexual intercourse with an 18-year-old student on Jan. 26 and providing him alcohol on four separate occasions. The sexual encounter allegedly occurred on the night of the student’s 18 th birthday.
Monroe was arrested because of her position of authority as the teenager’s teacher. Arkansas law specifies that it is a crime for a public-school teacher to engage in sexual contact with a student younger than 21.
Circuit Judge David Clinger scheduled Monroe’s jury trial for April 28 and a pretrial hearing for 8: 30 a. m. April 27. Monroe has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Monroe had taught math in the Bentonville School District for seven years.
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