MADISON, USA — A 74-year-old former teacher, Anne N. Nelson-Koch, was convicted on 25 counts of sexual abuse and now faces a staggering 600 years in prison for repeatedly abusing a 14-year-old boy at a private school in Wisconsin during the 2016-2017 school year.
Prosecutors revealed that Nelson-Koch would take the boy to the school’s basement to abuse him.
At the time of the attacks, she was 67, and the boy was just 14.
The conviction was handed down at Monroe County Court after a jury deliberated for five hours. Prosecutors had requested that Nelson-Koch be immediately remanded in custody, but Judge Richard Radcliffe granted bail with a GPS monitor ahead of the sentencing hearing scheduled for October 27.
Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger remarked that she faces a sentence that could extend up to six centuries behind bars, an extraordinary length of time that underscores the severity of the crimes committed.
Assistant District Attorney Sarah Skiles, who prosecuted the case, spoke highly of the victim’s courage: “The victim of these crimes is a courageous young man. He spoke the truth, and the jury heard him loud and clear. We are so grateful to the jury for their dedication to finding the truth.”
Skiles also praised the diligent work of Paul Sloan of the Tomah Police Department, who led the investigation.
“We could not have achieved this outcome without the victim’s strength and Investigator Sloan’s dedication and thorough investigation,” she said.
The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the enduring issue of sexual misconduct in schools and raising concerns about the safety of students.
The conviction serves as a chilling reminder of educators’ responsibility towards their students and the legal and moral lines that must never be crossed.
Nelson-Koch awaits sentencing, her conviction a symbol of justice for a victim who dared to speak out and for a community seeking accountability.
Her case is a stark reminder that the betrayal of trust within an educational setting can carry severe and lasting consequences.
