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Tipton Teacher Makes 1st Court Appearance On Rape Charges

Reported by: Joy Lambert
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Updated: 11/11/2011 7:48 am
COVINGTON, TN (abc24.com) - A Tipton County middle school teacher was arraigned Thursday, November 10, 2011, where she was read a 53 count indictment that includes 25 counts of statutory rape.

Seven teens, ages 14-16, say they were raped by Crestview Middle School reading teacher, Cindy Clifton.

Clifton walked into court, calm and collected, with her husband by her side. After hearing the shocking charges leveled against her, she walked out of court the same way, refusing to answer all media questions.

More than 90 people were in court, and when the charges against Clifton were read, it caught everyone's attention. 53 counts in total, all against minors, 28 charges involving alcohol, the other 25 for rape.

Tipton County District Attorney Mike Dunavant says, "She had a formal reading of the charges against her and she got a copy of the indictment.  That's essentially what happened. The court also inquired about whom would be her attorney."

That answer is Blake Ballin, from the well known Ballin law firm. He says his client didn't do what she's accused of doing. 

"She's crushed," Ballin tells abc24.com. "She's been emotional. This has been hard on her, hard on her family. She's been an educator for 20 years. She has her master's degree. She's a family oriented person, involved in church. This is at odds with her character."

The details aren't specific. The victim's are 10 boys and one girl, but the sex crimes are only against the boys. One 14-year-old boy cited statutory rape by an authority figure 12 times between April and May.

Attorney Dunavant says, "Those are significant and serious sex offense felonies for which there should be justice, and we will pursue that justice and prosecute this like any other serious sex offense felony case."

Clifton is out of jail on a $40,000 bond. Her next court date is March 1, 2012.
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Lander - 12/22/2011 3:28 PM
0 Votes
I just stumbled upon this story and was reading through some of the comments. I know Cindy and I do not believe these allegations to be true. Just because the state claims something doesn't necessarily make it so. She is a person of character, as is her family. The bottom line is if things don't add up, more than likely they aren't true. This story does not add up. That is the way I always view any kind of legal matter. My take is and I do not know all the facts, nor do any of you and I know more will be forthcoming, that the only thing believable was some kind of party that involved alcohol. That is not to say that Cindy knew or purchased the alcohol. If that is the case, that is unfortunate and poor judgement but not worthy of being torn apart if that is the case. I will say this. Growing up my buddies and many young ladies would occasionally have a party at one of my friend's house. To my knowledge the parents never went out and bought alcohol for us, but there were times the parents were in the house, they just chose to stay up stairs. Did that make those parents a criminal too? If that is the case, then half the parents in this country should be arrested for allowing teenage parties. Lastly, I want to comment on the rape issue. The allegations against Cindy are statuory rape. She was not accused of physically assaulting these teenagers. It is based on their age and how physical strength came into play with all due respect to one of this site's users is beyond me. This is 2011 and women have displayed they are more than capable in some instances as being as tough as a man, as strong in some cases, and the like. I have ran into plenty of females in my day who could legitimately kick my tail. Let's get our head out of the clouds in regards to women and violence. It is a people issue, not a gender issue. I know outrageous things exist in this country, but we have gone way overboard when it comes to things like this.

Comsenserand - 12/20/2011 3:56 PM
2 Votes
Let me comment on a few things. First of all, women are capable of physical violence. Society seems slow to realize that but it happens and there are some women stronger than men. Men are on average stronger, but the claim that a grown woman can't be stronger than a 14 year old boy or a man for that matter is not completely true. I have a buddy of mine whose wife works out a lot and can outlift him. It does happen so let's get out of the stone ages on that. That being said, the story simply does not add up. We are talking about a large group of people in a short time frame and based on every indication she was a great teacher, an asset to the Covington community (I am from Memphis), and has done a lot of good in this world. That is not to say that good people don't sometimes make a mistake but the story just seems to outlandish. The number of people involved and the like does not make the story credible. In regards to another user's allegations regarding the husband, that doesn't add up either. He is not going to sit there and allow his wife to have relations with underage kids. When you examine what the evidence is it appears someone is on a witch hunt. I would imagine that perhaps some parent of a student or a student who for whatever reason disliked Mrs.Clifton may have reported this and a story spiraled from that. Not knowing this woman but looking at it from an outside point of view, this story comes across as bull. Sometimes teenagers do stretch the truth or tell flat out lies because they don't know how to get out of a hole they have dug.

Golden Taint - 11/11/2011 2:50 PM
1 Vote
I'm sure that she is guilty of something, but in my opinion, it is physically impossible for a woman to rape a male. Something bad certainly happened, but I wouldn't call it rape because women aren't capable of rape. Even a 14 year old boy is stronger than a grown woman.

bsmoke67 - 11/11/2011 2:06 PM
0 Votes
Her husband saw the something, he is just as guilty. She needs to be placed in gasoline panties and set on fire. I bet her HOT AZZ will love it so just lock her up for 50 years.
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