| For Immediate Release Case # 14NF1609 April 8, 2014 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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JUNIOR HIGH MATH TEACHER CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING AND SENDING SEXUAL MESSAGES TO THREE BOYS, AGES 13 TO 15
FULLERTON – A junior high school math teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting and sending sexual messages to three male students between the ages of 13 and 15 years old. Melissa Nicole Lindgren, 28, La Mirada, is charged with five felony counts of lewd acts on a child, two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, three felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, and faces a sentencing enhancement allegation for lewd acts on multiple children. If convicted on all counts, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 16 years and four months in state prison. Lindgren is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow morning, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the North Justice Center, Fullerton. The specific time and Department are to be determined.
Lindgren is accused of committing these crimes while employed as a math teacher at Nicholas Junior High School in Fullerton.
The defendant is accused of meeting three male victims, between the ages of 13 and 15 years old, through the school. During the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 school year, Lindgren is accused of sending sexual text and smartphone messages to each of her victims.
Lindgren is accused of molesting John Doe #1 in a classroom on campus including sexual touching and kissing. She is accused of molesting John Doe #2 by sexually touching him while in a classroom on campus. The defendant is accused of meeting John Doe #3 off campus and molesting him by sexually touching him while in a car.
One of the victims reported the sexual assault, and the case was investigated by the Fullerton Police Department (FPD). Lindgren was arrested by FPD Feb. 21, 2014.
Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Nichols of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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