The latest “sexting” story to hit headlines involves an Oakland County middle school teacher charged with sending inappropriate texts to a 14-year-old student.
Michelle Simonson, a 7th grade teacher at Sashabaw Middle School in Clarkston, pleaded guilty to enticing children for immoral purposes and distributing obscene matter to children.
An Oakland County Circuit Court Judge has sentenced her to 90 days in jail. She was also sentenced to 5 years probation, must pay fines and court costs, must register as a sex offender, and cannot have any contact with the victim. She must also complete sex offender treatment.
Simonson’s teaching certificate has since been revoked and nullified by the Michigan Department of Education.
Simonson, who worked as a special education teacher at the school, was accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a cognitively impaired boy. Simonson exchanged approximately 50 text messages with the student, which became more and more sexual. She also sent a nude picture of herself.
According the article from the Oakland Press, Simonson and the student never had physical contact, and never spoke to each other in person or on the telephone—all of their communication was strictly through text messaging.
Officials were notified about the exchange after the student’s foster parent brought the photo and text messages to the attention of deputies at the Independence Township substation in June.
Articles about sexting between teenagers have been popping up left and right, however this is one of the first cases involving sexting between a teacher and a student.
Sexting is a term used to describe sexually suggestive messages or pictures sent through text messaging.
If you are facing criminal charges for sexting in Oakland County or Wayne County, it is important to contact an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney at Freedman & Freedman today! The last thing you want is a sex crimes conviction on your record or to have to register as a sex offender.
Contact the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman today!