A 27-year-old Sheridan High School teacher accused of having a sexual encounter with a male student has been formally charged and suspended from her job.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey charged Melissa Snow Monday with three counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, with one of those charges alleging a pattern of behavior.

Snow is free on a $50,000 bond.

According to a news release from Morrissey's office, Snow was arrested November 5th after a joint investigation by the Denver and Sheridan police departments found probable cause to believe she had sexually assaulted a student more than once at a Denver location.

Snow is scheduled to appear in Denver District Court on Wednesday to be advised of the charges.

Denver district attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough says she doesn't know if Snow has retained an attorney. She declined to release further details on the allegations against Snow.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)