Terrence Bell is a paraprofessional and coach at Hillside Middle School, part of Kalamazoo Public Schools in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is also the husband of City Commissioner Stephanie Bell. Mr. Bell, aged 32, is charged with four counts of third-degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. Bell was recently arraigned on these sex crimes, and Kalamazoo County District Judge Anne Blatchford ordered that Bell be held on a $10,000 bond.

The Kalamazoo Township police allege that Bell had inappropriate sexual contact with a female special education student at least five times during the last year. The student was 16 when the incidents occurred. Although this is the age of consent in Michigan when it comes to sexual activity, Michigan law also prohibits school employees from engaging in sexual activity with a special education student aged 16-26.

Mr. Bell is not taking these charges lightly. His attorney stated, “He stands ready to defend himself. We believe he will be exonerated once all the evidence is in.” As sex crime defense lawyers, we know the extreme hardship that comes from being convicted of a sex crime. One consequence of a sex crime conviction is registration on Michigan’s public sex offender registry. Being on this list is not only humiliating, but can lead to job loss, economic hardship, and limitations on where you can live and work.

If you are facing a Michigan sex crime matter, contact a defense lawyer today!