GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley community has paid special attention to the criminal case involving Michelle Solis, a 46-year-old former Gridley school teacher.

Solis was arrested Nov. 13, 2023 on suspicions of sex with a minor student and inappropriate contact with the minor and found guilty June 2, 2024 of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor (261.5 (d) PC) with charges of distribution of harmful matter (288.2 (a)(2) PC) dismissed on a Harvey Waiver. A Harvey Waiver is an agreement by a defendant that any counts dismissed as part of a plea agreement can still be considered for the purposes of sentencing on the remaining counts, according to www.shouselaw.com.

Solis appeared at 1:30 p.m. July 18 to Butte County Superior Court in Oroville before a packed courtroom as she took her place beside her defense attorney, Matthew Clinton Smith.

Smith argued that this was a “one victim, one act” case and made comments that the “post-pubescent” juvenile victim referred to Solis as “hot” and “attractive.”  Smith also referred to mentions in Solis’ probation report of “rumors” and “small town gossip” and asked the judge to look at the case “academically.” 

It appeared that the defense was trying to downplay the severity of the charges, as supporters of the victim seated in the front row quietly sobbed.

Smith also mentioned letters sent to the court from the public expressing their feelings on the case and he singled out one Gridley person by name in court for their submission. Smith told Judge Michael Deems that there was no room for public comment in the case and that the letters should have no bearing on the sentencing.

Smith asked Deems to give Solis probation instead of a prison sentence. Smith said that other cases with similar patterns of behavior but with multiple acts instead of his client’s alleged “one act” resulted in probation.

Prosecutor Jennifer Bennett of the Butte County District Attorney’s Office, representing the People of California, countered that the upper term of four years in state prison was the appropriate sentencing for Solis, as the case displayed a level of “criminal sophistication” and “grooming” of the victim. In addition, Bennett argued that Solis abused a position of “authority” and “trust” as a public educator and made reference to the teacher being previously reprimanded by the school for inappropriate behavior involving cellphone usage and her students.

Regardless of “rumor,” Bennett added, evidence established that Solis had a sexual encounter with the youth on the day of his eighth-grade graduation and that images of her genitalia and buttocks had been shared with the youth.

Bennett also argued that in the three-page report by Dr. Donald Siggins, who submitted an evaluation of Solis to the court, there was “no indication of remorse” by Solis.

Judge Deems honored the District Attorney’s request for the upper term sentencing of four years in state prison and ordered Solis to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $300.

As Solis was ushered away by the bailiffs, attorney Smith quickly exited the courtroom. As he left, Smith was heard by multiple witnesses, including the Herald, call those seated in the court’s gallery “Vultures. Vultures, everywhere.”