The Desoto County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that a substitute teacher has been arrested in a sex crime.

23-year-old Steven Colby and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Meara Carpenter, were charged with fondling by a person in a position of trust.

Colby worked at Desoto County Schools as a substitute teacher at Lake Cormorant High School. Carpenter, who lived with Colby, was charged with molestation of the student.

Both are currently being held in the Desoto County Jail tonight.

One parent who spoke to WREG was disappointed that this would happen to a teenager.

“It shows the direction our society is going, because it’s happening, or at least we’re seeing it, more often,”

said the parent.

This is an ongoing investigation. We will update this story as more information becomes available.