DA: Additional Charges Filed Against 2 Teachers For Sexual Misconduct At OC Beach

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Additional charges have been filed against two high school teachers accused of having sexual relationships with students during a camping trip, officials announced on Tuesday.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Melody Suzanne Lippert, 38, of Covina, and Michelle Louise Ghirelli, 30, of West Covina, faced additional charges on Tuesday of one felony count each of unlawful sexual intercourse, furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, and a sentencing enhancement for being four years or older than the minor.

Ghirelli also faced one felony count of oral copulation of a minor, the district attorney's office added.

Both women were previously charged with a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Lippert allegedly organized an unapproved trip through a group text message, which invited Ghirelli and five male high school students to go camping at San Clemente Beach.

Authorities explained both women are accused of camping with the underage students, and illegally distributing alcohol and cocaine between Nov. 23, 2014, and Dec. 29, 2014.

Ghirelli is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse and orally copulating a 17-year-old victim, and Lippert is accused of facilitating their relationship.

At the time the crime was committed, Lippert was employed as a teacher at South Hills High School in West Covina, and Ghirelli was an employee at the Convina-Valley Unified School District.

Both women are scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Newport Beach. Prosecutors are expected to ask their bail be set at $50,000 each, authorities added.

If convicted as charged, Lippert faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and six months in state prison. Ghirelli faces a maximum sentence of 11 years and eight months in state prison.