Former Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Student Enters Not Guilty Plea

A former Rehobeth high school teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year old student has pleaded not guilty on charges he faces.  Defense attorney Shaun McGhee said he entered the plea and waived arraignment scheduled Tuesday for Robert Lee Michel. 

Specifically, Michel is charged with three counts of School Employee Engaging in Sex with a Student under the Age of 19---felonies under a recently-enacted Alabama law. Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes said Michael's was the first arrest his agency made under the measure approved by the Alabama Legislature during its 2011 session.

Additionally, Michel faces four charges of Possessing Child Pornography. The latter charges---according to prosecutors----involve images taken from Michel's computer drives following his arrest.

Michel, 43, was taken into custody after, according to investigators, he fled the 16-year old student's home when the teen's mom returned home unexpectedly and found Michael and her daughter engaged in sexual activity.

Sheriff Andy Hughes said Michel ran from the home without clothes on. He was captured a short time later--clad in only trash bags. The alleged incident occurred April 20. Michel has since been terminated from his job.

Trial for Michel has been scheduled August 20. Houston County Circuit Judge Henry D. "Butch" Binford has been assigned to preside over the cases.

Michel has been in jail since his arrest.