Ex-Willmar Teacher Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
WILLMAR, Minn. (AP) — A former teacher and coach at Willmar Senior High School is accused of sexual misconduct involving a student several years ago.
Chad Jeffrey Akerson, 34, was charged Wednesday in Kandiyohi County District Court with felony counts of first-, second- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to the criminal complaint, a 20-year-old woman told Willmar police last month that Akerson had sex with her while she was his student.
The woman said she was 15 when the relationship began in January 2010, the complaint said. The relationship continued after Akerson resigned from the Willmar School District in October 2012, according to the complaint.
The complaint said that while Akerson was the woman's teacher, they would meet to have sex before, during and after school in various places, including in Akerson's home, the student's home, the high school and Akerson's car.
In a statement, Willmar Public Schools Superintendent Jerry Kjergaard said Akerson was employed in the district from August 2003 until October 2012. In September 2012, the district received a complaint about Akerson and conducted an investigation, the statement said.
"Willmar Public Schools takes it obligation to its students very seriously," the statement said.
Akerson had been teaching in Ashby, a small district in western Minnesota, but after learning of the allegations in Kandiyohi County, that district placed him on unpaid leave pending an investigation, the Ashby School District said in a statement.
Bail is set at $200,000. Akerson remained in jail Thursday. Online court records do not list a defense attorney.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)