Two former California teachers convicted of drug, sex charges during student camping trip

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KTLA) -- Two former high school teachers were convicted and sentenced Friday for unlawful sexual intercourse with an underage male student during an alcohol- and drug-fueled camping trip.

KTLA-TV reported Melody Suzanne Lippert, 38, pleaded guilty to one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse. She was sentenced to three years probation and three months in jail, which would be dismissed upon her completion of 15 days of work with CalTrans, the DA’s office said.

Her co-defendant Michelle Louise Ghirelli, 30, pleaded guilty to one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse and one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance. She was sentenced to three years probation and 180 days in jail, which would be dismissed if she completed 180 days in a lock-down rehabilitation facility.

Both have had their teaching credentials revoked for life in the State of California, according to prosecutors.

At the time of the trip, Ghirelli was employed at the Covina-Valley Unified School District and Lippert was a teacher at South Hills High School in West Covina.

The trip was organized by Lippert and was not approved by the school or the district, according to prosecutors.

Between Dec. 27, 2014, and Dec. 29, 2014, the teachers camped with the five students at San Clemente State Beach.

During the trip, Ghirelli illegally distributed alcohol and cocaine to the underage students, prosecutors said.

At some point, Lippert facilitated Ghirelli’s sexual relationship with 17-year-old John Doe, they stated.