A 33-year-old teacher at Coral Springs High School was arrested Thursday morning, charged with sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior involving a student during his freshman and sophomore years between 2018 and 2019, police said.

Joseph Michael Melendez, who allegedly developed an emotional connection with the victim and discussed pornography, admitted to the sexual relationship, according to an arrest report.

Teacher faces serious charges

Coral Springs police said Melendez, who oversaw the after-school American Sign Language club, faces charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious battery and molestation.

The arrest report details how the victim, then 15, developed an emotional bond with Melendez, who became a "sexual mentor" after exchanging phone numbers and discussing

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