Latest news with #JosephMichaelMelendez
Miami Herald
08-08-2025
- Miami Herald
Coral Springs Charter teacher faces charges for student sexual abuse, police say
Years after a Coral Springs Charter School teacher allegedly groomed and sexually exploited a then-sophomore, the abuse has come to light following his arrest on Thursday, police said. Joseph Michael Melendez, 33, is facing charges of sexual battery by a custodian, lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of lewd and lascivious battery, an arrest report read. Police say the victim, now an adult, spoke to Coral Springs Police detectives on July 21 and revealed Melendez had sexually abused him when he was a 15-year-old sophomore at Coral Springs Charter School. The arrest report states that during the student's freshman and sophomore years, in 2018, Melendez was his teacher and oversaw the after-school American Sign Language club. They had several conversations as the then-young boy confided in him about his sexuality. Melendez used that trust to groom him, sharing more lewd and sexual details with the teen and becoming what he described as a 'sexual mentor,' the report read. Over the year, Melendez would later touch the boy over his clothes, sometimes at the charter school, which would escalate to several encounters of sexual abuse, the report states. Detectives instructed and supervised the victim as he opened a conversation with Melendez in July to get him to talk about the past sexual abuse — which police say Melendez did recall to him. He was arrested in the parking lot of the Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs. Detectives said he later admitted to the 'sexual relationship' when the victim was 15. The Coral Springs Charter School, which is operated by Charter Schools USA and governed by the Coral Springs City Commission, immediately fired him.
CBS News
07-08-2025
- CBS News
Coral Springs teacher arrested for sexual battery on student over two years, police say
A 33-year-old teacher at Coral Springs High School was arrested Thursday morning, charged with sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior involving a student during his freshman and sophomore years between 2018 and 2019, police said. Joseph Michael Melendez, who allegedly developed an emotional connection with the victim and discussed pornography, admitted to the sexual relationship, according to an arrest report. Coral Springs police said Melendez, who oversaw the after-school American Sign Language club, faces charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious battery and molestation. The arrest report details how the victim, then 15, developed an emotional bond with Melendez, who became a "sexual mentor" after exchanging phone numbers and discussing pornography. The illicit relationship allegedly spanned two years. Parents expressed shock and concern following the arrest, which was first reported through a police social media post. "I am concerned. I am honestly unaware of what's been happening. I'm hoping to get information," said one parent outside the school. Another parent said, "My kids have been in this school the last three years. It is a great school, very safe and very interactive with the parents. Once we know, we will know if we have any concerns about the teacher arrested." A school spokeswoman confirmed Melendez's termination, saying, "We were made aware today that a teacher at our school was arrested this morning by the Coral Springs Police Department and has subsequently been terminated." "The safety and security of our students is a number one priority. We refer any questions related to the arrest to our law enforcement partners at the city of Coral Springs." Melendez is currently held at the Broward Sheriff's Office jail. Police urge anyone with additional information to contact the Coral Springs Special Victims Unit.
