A 38-year-old woman from Englewood, Tennessee, was indicted by the McMinn County Grand Jury on 18 counts of aggravated statutory rape, four counts of human trafficking by patronizing prostitution, solicitation of a minor, and forfeiture of personal property.
Melissa Blair targeted students at McMinn Central High School to find her known alleged victims. Blair herself had a student at the same school who has since transferred, according to the county’s director of schools. Like many parents of students, she reportedly participated in booster clubs.
McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy confirmed that there were nine male victims as of Feb. 15. The alleged sexual assaults happened between Spring 2020 and late 2021. Two of Blair’s victims are now adults. “It appears that Ms. Blair was communicating with these juveniles on social media, arranging meetings with them, and then trading items for sexual encounters with the juveniles,” Guy said in a press conference Tuesday.
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The sheriff’s office received a referral from the Tennessee Department of Child Services on Dec. 9 with allegations against Blair. Previously, Director of Schools Lee Parkison had received a letter indicating similar allegations.
“I wanted to thank the person who put this anonymous letter in my office,” Parkison said at the presser. “Without them, this could still be going on.”
By Dec. 15, the sheriff’s office had obtained a search warrant for Blair’s home. In addition, Parkison served Blair a letter, banning her from school property and activities. As a result of their findings, Blair was indicted Tuesday and booked into jail. She was released from jail that same evening after making bond but continues to be restricted from all school properties.
“This type of case is difficult and shocking, even to seasoned detectives,” Guy said Tuesday.
District Attorney General Steve Crump of the 10th Judicial District encouraged unknown victims to continue to come forward Tuesday. “It is inevitable that there — that there are other victims out there,” Crump said. “We encourage you to come forward and talk to us.”
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Blair’s next court date is Feb 28.
