Photo: Fresno County Sheriff’s OfficeA former Fresno middle school teacher was found guilty Tuesday of a sex act on a 14-year-old boy, according to multiple news reports.A jury also found that Justine Nelson, 33, was not guilty of the more serious charge of a lewd or lascivious act with a minor.According to theFresno Bee, Nelson faces up to three years in prison. She will have to register as a sex offender,ABC 30reports.After the verdict, Nelson, who is married and pregnant with her second child, broke down.“I am just thankful it’s over,” Nelson said, according to theFresno Bee. “I can now move on with my life and focus on my family.”Nelson, a former Tenaya Middle School teacher, was accused of performing the sex act on the boy while in her classroom, as well as sending him semi-nude photographs of herself.The boy, who is now 16, told the jury last week that it was Nelson who started the physical contact. He also alleged that the two had sex numerous times in between and after school in her classroom, theBeereports.During closing statements, Deputy District Attorney Liz Owen said Nelson denied having a relationship with the student but had kidded with detectives about “hooking up with a 14-year-old,” theAssociated Pressreports.Nelson admitted that she gave the boy oral sex but her attorney said she had been coerced after he threatened to tell people about their relationship, according toABC 30.The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office could not be reached for comment. Nor could Nelson’s attorney.• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?Click hereto get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.According to theBee, the student and his family have sued Fresno Unified School District, seeking damages for negligence, sexual battery and sexual misconduct.Sentencing for Nelson is scheduled for June 10.
Photo: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
A former Fresno middle school teacher was found guilty Tuesday of a sex act on a 14-year-old boy, according to multiple news reports.A jury also found that Justine Nelson, 33, was not guilty of the more serious charge of a lewd or lascivious act with a minor.According to theFresno Bee, Nelson faces up to three years in prison. She will have to register as a sex offender,ABC 30reports.After the verdict, Nelson, who is married and pregnant with her second child, broke down.“I am just thankful it’s over,” Nelson said, according to theFresno Bee. “I can now move on with my life and focus on my family.”Nelson, a former Tenaya Middle School teacher, was accused of performing the sex act on the boy while in her classroom, as well as sending him semi-nude photographs of herself.The boy, who is now 16, told the jury last week that it was Nelson who started the physical contact. He also alleged that the two had sex numerous times in between and after school in her classroom, theBeereports.During closing statements, Deputy District Attorney Liz Owen said Nelson denied having a relationship with the student but had kidded with detectives about “hooking up with a 14-year-old,” theAssociated Pressreports.Nelson admitted that she gave the boy oral sex but her attorney said she had been coerced after he threatened to tell people about their relationship, according toABC 30.The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office could not be reached for comment. Nor could Nelson’s attorney.• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?Click hereto get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.According to theBee, the student and his family have sued Fresno Unified School District, seeking damages for negligence, sexual battery and sexual misconduct.Sentencing for Nelson is scheduled for June 10.
A former Fresno middle school teacher was found guilty Tuesday of a sex act on a 14-year-old boy, according to multiple news reports.
A jury also found that Justine Nelson, 33, was not guilty of the more serious charge of a lewd or lascivious act with a minor.
According to theFresno Bee, Nelson faces up to three years in prison. She will have to register as a sex offender,ABC 30reports.
After the verdict, Nelson, who is married and pregnant with her second child, broke down.
“I am just thankful it’s over,” Nelson said, according to theFresno Bee. “I can now move on with my life and focus on my family.”
Nelson, a former Tenaya Middle School teacher, was accused of performing the sex act on the boy while in her classroom, as well as sending him semi-nude photographs of herself.
The boy, who is now 16, told the jury last week that it was Nelson who started the physical contact. He also alleged that the two had sex numerous times in between and after school in her classroom, theBeereports.
During closing statements, Deputy District Attorney Liz Owen said Nelson denied having a relationship with the student but had kidded with detectives about “hooking up with a 14-year-old,” theAssociated Pressreports.
Nelson admitted that she gave the boy oral sex but her attorney said she had been coerced after he threatened to tell people about their relationship, according toABC 30.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office could not be reached for comment. Nor could Nelson’s attorney.
• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?Click hereto get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.
According to theBee, the student and his family have sued Fresno Unified School District, seeking damages for negligence, sexual battery and sexual misconduct.
Sentencing for Nelson is scheduled for June 10.
source: people.com
