A woman in Tennessee was indicted on 23 total charges, including 18 of aggravated statutory rape.
McMinn County resident Melissa A. Blair, 38, turned herself in to the county detention center following word that she had been indicted by a grand jury.
In total, Blair was hit with 18 counts of aggravated statutory rape, four counts of human trafficking by patronizing prostitution and one count of solicitation of a minor.
McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said Blair’s attorney indicated the defendant will attempt to make the $100,000 bond.
Her arrest and indictment stems from reports that surfaced in December of 2021, when Blair was accused of having sexual relations with local high school boys.
As the investigation progressed, more victims came forward for questioning, and a search warrant was issued for Blair’s home.
“The search warrant revealed additional evidence, and our investigation grew larger as more parents and victims contacted us,” Guy said. “We were finally able to present the case to the grand jury on Feb. 15, upon which the indictments were issued.”
According to the Daily Post Athenian, Sheriff Guy noted that multiple victims are still minors.
“The current charges are related to nine confirmed male juvenile victims, related to incidents which occurred from Spring of 2020 through late 2021,” he noted. “Seven of the victims are still juveniles. Two were victimized as juveniles but are now adults. We suspect there may be additional juvenile victims, and we encourage them or their parents to contact us. There may possibly be other victims who are now adults, and we also encourage them to contact us. It appears that Ms. Blair was communicating with the juveniles on social media, arranging meetings with them and trading items for sexual encounters with them.”
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