Former Maryland Teacher Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexually Abusing Student, Will Serve Only 1 Year

Melissa Curtis, 32, pleaded guilty to abusing a 14-year-old student over 20 times in 2015 but received a heavily reduced sentence with probation and restrictions.

Melissa Curtis, a former middle school teacher, pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree sexual offenses involving a 14-year-old student in 2015.
Although sentenced to 30 years in prison, the judge suspended most of the sentence, requiring Curtis to serve only 12 months in jail followed by five years of supervised probation.
The abuse occurred over several months in various locations, including a classroom, Curtis' vehicle, and her mother’s home, with Curtis providing the student alcohol and marijuana.
The victim, now an adult, came forward in October 2023, prompting an investigation and Curtis' subsequent arrest in November 2023.
Upon release, Curtis must register as a sex offender for 25 years and is prohibited from unsupervised contact with minors other than her own children.