Some Teens 'Able to Handle' Sex With Adult: Michigan Politician

WYANDOTTE, MI – Commenting on the sensational story of the Texas middle school teacher accused of a months-long sexual relationship with her minor student — reportedly with his family’s blessing — a Libertarian congressional candidate from Wyandotte said on Facebook the other day that “some teenagers are able to handle these relationships” with adults and age-of-consent laws ought to reflect that.

Tom Bagwell posted the comments on a Houston TV station’s Facebook page in response to a story about the arrest of Alexandria M. Vera, 24, who is accused of having an ongoing sexual relationship with her student, who authorities say is under the age of 14.

According to police records cited by The Washington Post, Vera told police that she and the student “had sex on almost a daily basis at her home and that they love each other.” Police also said Vera claimed the boy’s parents were supportive of the relationship and ecstatic when they learned of her pregnancy, which she aborted when Child Protective Services began investigating her in February.

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Bagwell, who posted under his “Tom Bagwell for Congress 2016” account, suggested that since the boy's family was apparently happy about the relationship, it's none of the government's business.

Bagwell would like to see age-of-consent laws charged to require prosecutors to consider charges on a case-by-case basis, rather than arbitrarily. "Hard age of consent laws don’t take into account the actual maturity of the child," he said.

In the case of the Texas middle school English teacher, “If there is consent, there is no rape,” Bagwell posted.

“The boy was consenting. The parents supported it. The age of the participants doesn’t matter. Personal relationships are not the business of the state.”

The Libertarian candidate for the 12th congressional district seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, Bagwell told the Detroit Free Press he doesn’t advocate sexual relationships between adults in minors and that he believes abuse is involved in such relationships most of the time, but he stands by his comments.

“I gave an opinion based on me having some deeply rooted libertarian views,” he told the Free Press. “I have some views that I know the general public might say, ‘Eh, I don’t like that.’ ”

He said “children should be protected as best we can,” but said that “unfortunately, the unintended consequences of government action can do more harm than good.”

“If there is actual abuse by all means charge with a crime,” he wrote. “but it should not be a snap judgment.”

Other Facebook users called Bagwell out.

“Exactly what mitigating circumstances would make it OK for a 24 year old woman to have sex with her 13 year old student?” user James Leitch asked Bagwell.

“RAPE,” Alyse Campbell posted, turning on her cap lock for emphasis. “This is rape. Not a ‘sexual relationship.’ ”

More testy exchanges followed in continuing coverage of the dustup.