Lafayette teacher charged after underage releationship www.privateofficer.com

Lafayette, Calif. Oct 31 2010
Police have arrested a Lafayette middle school teacher on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student and sending her as many as 140 text messages of a sexual nature per day.

Michael Merrick was being held Thursday in county jail on $3.05 million bail.

Police Chief Mike Hubbard said the 47-year-old teacher was arrested Wednesday, two days after the female student made the allegations.

Merrick is accused of having sexual contact with the student during private tutoring sessions at Stanley Middle School. Lafayette School District Superintendent Fred Brill said Merrick is a wood shop teacher and a youth sports coach who has worked for the district for at least a decade.

It’s not known whether he has retained an attorney.

Source:www.sfgate.com