South Bend, INDIANA

Sentenced to 35 years, followed by 10 years' probation.

FIRED: Nov 28, 2006 - An elementary school teacher, Mel Trowbridge, 44, was fired after his arrest on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor for having sexual relationships with two female students, ages 14 and 15.

Nov 29, 2006 - Trowbridge fired for "immorality, good and just cause, and the best interest of the corporation." When the board investigated him, they found he had lied about previous problems.

"Previously he had resigned from teaching third-grade at Bremen Elementary School in 1995 after students alleged he improperly touched them or they felt uncomfortable in his presence . The next year, Trowbridge was banned from substitute teaching at Triton School Corp. in Bourbon after some students and teachers were concerned that he was teaching again."

UPDATE: Jan 4, 2007 - Trowbridge has requested a different judge in dispute bonds.

GUILTY PLEA: Sept 6 - In exchange for a 45-year cap on any executed sentence given to him, Trowbridge pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. One of those counts relates to a 14-year-old former student of his, while three others relate to a 15-year-old girl.

The judge has yet to accept the plea. The judge will wait until a pre-sentence report is completed and review a psychosexual evaluation before making his decision at a Dec. 4 hearing.

SENTENCED Jan 19 - Trowbridge was sentenced to 35 years in prison. After his release, he will be on probation 10 years. He apologized to the victims and their families.

TT - The story doesn't say so, but under Indiana's Zachary's Law Registration, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor as a Class A, B, or C felony (IC 35-42-4-9) means registration as a sex offender to expire when his parole ends.