Tennessee woman indicted on 23 sexual assault, rape charges against minors: report

A 38-year-old woman in Tennessee faces 23 charges related to sexual encounters the woman had with minors, police say.

On Dec. 9, the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office received a referral from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services stating Melissa Blair, 38, was having sexual encounters with boys who were students at McMinn Central High School, the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office said.

An investigation started, officials said, and on Dec. 15, detectives went to Blair’s house to speak to her. Detectives then got a search warrant for Blair’s house.

Blair, who is not a school employee, was given a letter from the school stating she was banned from campus and any school activities. NBC Montana reported Blair has been involved as a booster club member at McMinn Central High School.

“The search warrant revealed additional evidence, and our investigation grew larger as more parents and victims contacted us," Sheriff Joe Guy said. "We were finally able to present the case to the Grand Jury on February 15, upon which the indictments were issued.”

A grand jury handed down 23 criminal charges against Blair. The charges were 18 counts of aggravated statutory rape, four counts of human trafficking by patronizing prostitution and one count of solicitation of a minor, police said.

“The current charges are related to nine confirmed male juvenile victims, related to incidents which occurred from Spring of 2020 through late 2021," Guy said.

Of those nine victims, officials said seven are still juveniles and two were victimized as juveniles.

“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,” Guy added.

Authorities said Blair spoke to the victims on social media, then arraigned to meet with them and trade items for sex.

On Feb. 15, Blair turned herself in to the McMinn County Jail, her bail was set at $100,000.