McMinn County woman pleads guilty to sexual relations with minors

Melissa Blair (McMinn County Jail)

MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A McMinn County woman accused of having sexual relations with minors appeared in court on Monday.

Melissa Ann Blair entered a guilty plea at court on November 6. She pled guilty to more than 30 counts against her.

She had faced more than 40 counts total.

Prosecutors say Blair admitted to having inappropriate sexual relations with underage males. Those teens attended McMinn Central High School.

A judge then sentenced Blair to 22 years in prison.

Authorities originally arrested and indicted her back in the beginning of 2022.

Blair, now 40, was 38 when the scandal was brought to light.

More charges and accusations against her poured in throughout the year.

One of the victims was only 14 at the time, according to an indictment.

McMinn Central High previously banned Blair from entering the school.

There were at least 18 underage victims and Blair faced various charges, including aggravated statutory rape.

Because she entered a guilty plea, the Englewood native will not have to go before a jury.