Teacher Melissa Lavender Accused of Fondling Two Male Students on a Boat - South Lake High School

A "culinary arts" teacher accused of fondling a couple of high school boys on their parents boat during a party? You have to think that alcohol may have been involved, right? That's what cops think happened with Melissa Lavender, 33, who was arraigned this week on two charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Maybe her defense can be that she was looking for bait? At right, a picture of Melissa Lavender during her court appearance.
Here's more from the Detroit Free Press:

St. Clair Shores Police Detective Harold Bergeron said a teen who witnessed the June 26 sex acts came forward last week. Police interviewed the partygoers -- three females and five males, several of whom were teenagers -- who said they drank alcohol with the teacher and saw her inappropriately touch two current students, ages 16 and 17. The boat was docked in a St. Clair Shores marina, Bergeron said.
Michigan's age of consent is 16, but a state statute makes it illegal for a teacher to engage in sex acts with a student, no matter the student's age. The charges are misdemeanors punishable by up to two years in prison. Dennis waived the formal arraignment in 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores. He said Lavender has strong backing in the community and that some members of the school board attended the morning arraignment.