Hearing for former BHS teacher rescheduled
Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2008
BENTONVILLE - A hearing was rescheduled for a former Bentonville High School teacher's challenge of the constitutionality of the law charging her with having sex with an 18-year-old student.
Melissa Gayle Monroe, 32, 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 it is a crime for a publicschool teacher to engage in sexual contact with a student younger than 21.
Monroe's attorneys previously filed a motion seeking to declare the law prohibiting public-school teachers from engaging in sexual contact with students younger than 21 as unconstitutional.
Deputy Prosecutor Drew Ledbetter filed a response asking the court to uphold the law.
The hearing was scheduled for today, but was rescheduled for 1: 30 p.m. Sept. 10.
Monroe has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
She had taught math in the Bentonville School District for seven years. She was terminated from her position following her arrest.
She was released from the Benton County Jail after posting $ 5, 000 bond.
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