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June 22, 2012 12:55 PM

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Ind. cheerleading coach arrested for alleged sex acts with 17-year-old student

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

Megan Crafton

/ WISH

(CBS/WISH) SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - Police in Indiana have arrested a high school cheerleading coach who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student.

The Indianapolis Star reports 22-year-old Megan Crafton pleaded not guilty Thursday to seducing a minor. Crafton turned herself in to police on June 15.

According to CBS affiliate WISH, court records show the part-time assistant cheerleading coach at Shelbyville High School previously admitted to performing sex acts on the teen in her car.

Shelbyville Police Lt. Michael Turner told WISH he believes the relationship between Crafton and the student may have begun in January. He says it was her role as an educator, not her age, that sent her to jail.

"The relationship itself between Crafton and the 17-year-old boy is not illegal, but the fact she held a part time job here at the school made that relationship a crime," said Turner. "She was employed as a quote un quote teacher as a assistant cheerleading coach and that made her an authoritative role over this child which by state statute makes it illegal."

The student is reportedly a member of Shelbyville's basketball team.

Crafton's trial is set for Sept. 24, reports the Indianapolis Star.

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by patric627 February 17, 2013 12:30 AM EST: agreed with most of the comments... the idiocy of the 'authorities' when it comes to sex between 'minors' and pretty much anyone who is even slightly older, or years older, either way, irrelevant, is getting beyond belief.
not only is 17 not a little child, nor 16 for that matter for example, but the mere fact that the ages of consent vary so much, even within the u.s., just proves the absurdity of having such absolute standards in cases like this.
apparently most of these 'authorities' aren't from earth, where boys and girls are quite prepared for sex, mentally and physically, after puberty. that's just biology.
individual levels of maturity have to be respected, of course, but the funny thing is that is never a consideration. it's alway just some absolute directive being imposed as regards age.
but perhaps the most confusing thing is that in indiana, the age of consent is 16!!! and even when the traditional exceptions are included, such as someone in a position of authority, under indiana law, coaching isn't part of that equation.
just odd. and absurd.; Reply to this comment


by escuridaum June 26, 2012 11:33 AM EDT: Why can't they just fire her? Why do these things have to involve the legal system? She's barely older than him at all. Our country is ridiculous.; Reply to this comment


by EmelioLizardo June 26, 2012 10:06 AM EDT: I hope that her lawyer is up to speed on cases like this because similar laws have been overturned in other states.

We've really gone overboard on trying to control other people's sex lives.; Reply to this comment


by JaylikeBird June 25, 2012 10:01 AM EDT: " If she tied up and beat him, forced him to do unspeakable acts, I'd say..."

...pictures or it didn't happen :); Reply to this comment

by djseavy June 23, 2012 10:15 PM EDT

Is she a licensed teacher, or was she hired as an assistant coach? I think that really should be the criteria. The 5 year age difference isn't that big of a deal, and if she's not a licensed teacher, and if she didn't receive - in writing - a prohibition, then I'm not certain they can actually convict and jail her. There sure are a lot of ***** young teachers and assistant coaches out there! My how times have changed since I was in school

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by EmelioLizardo June 26, 2012 10:04 AM EDT: It's an insane law in the first place. How can an otherwise legal act be made illegal because one is an phys ed coach?

At least one state overturned a similar law on that basis.

by thewatcherone June 23, 2012 8:24 PM EDT

A 22 and 17 year old is not that big of a stretch in age. It's 5 years. These kinds of cases should be left up to the school to administer punishment. The crime here is her being a school official and having sexual relations with a student of the same school, I don't consider the age difference and the act itself a crime. When I was in my late teens and early 20s I had a gf that was 5 years younger then me, more mature I might add to. We are now and always have been life long friends and I talk with her, her husband and their children many times a year. Each case needs to be evaluated as not all are the same. If she tied up and beat him, forced him to do unspeakable acts, I'd say throw her in prison. If it was a normal sexual relationship I say let them be.

Reply to this comment


by EmelioLizardo June 26, 2012 10:04 AM EDT: Shouldn't be anyone's business.


by notredamegirl77 June 23, 2012 12:49 AM EDT: Oh Oh!!!; Reply to this comment

by formerlyluvnut June 22, 2012 1:48 PM EDT

Hmmm. Why not me when I was in high school!?!

Reply to this comment


by you_MAY_be_right June 22, 2012 2:27 PM EDT: Becasue you IS too d@mn UGLY!

Now put those paper bags back on your head before you frighten the children.


by canislupus16 June 22, 2012 1:33 PM EDT: No harm, no foul. And I'd say the same thing if she were a he and he were a she.; Reply to this comment

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