Nighswonger worked as a teacher at Iditarod Elementary School in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District between 2005 and his arrest in 2018 following an investigation by the Wasilla Police Department.
WASILLA, Alaska - A former Mat-Su teacher will serve more than four decades in prison and must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
A Palmer judge sentenced 40-year-old Lukis Nighswonger to a 46-year sentence, with an additional 40 years suspended. Nighswonger has also been assigned 15 years of probation and will need to register as a sex offender. He accepted a plea deal for four counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor under age 16, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor, afterNighswonger’s case began before the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused lengthy delays as the Alaska Court System temporarily halted courtroom proceedings.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, resources are available on the Standing Together Against Rape website or by calling the statewide crisis hotline at 1-800-478-8999. Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Nighswonger accepted a plea deal and was not convicted at trial, as well as to clarify he is now a former teacher.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Suburban school district to shorten school day for elementary studentsThe school day for grades Kindergarten through fifth grade will be shortened starting in the 2024-2025 school year.
Read more »
Ogletree Elementary School teacher says school is her ‘happiest place’Davis Ann Speigner says she’s happiest in her classroom at Ogletree Elementary School.
Read more »
Temporary injunction halts transfer of Jeffco sex offender to facility near elementary schoolA district attorney is seeking an emergency order to keep a Jefferson County man, convicted of child sex crimes, from being placed at a mental health facility located 800 feet from an elementary school.
Read more »
Rolling Hills Elementary School performance of “The Sound of Music”: LettersRe “Removal of swastikas from school’s ‘Sound of Music’ show stirs mixed reactions” (May 25): “The Sound of Music” by the legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II is a mast…
Read more »
School bus driver accused of duct-taping a child into his seat in Delaware CountyThe investigation began after police were called to Hillcrest Elementary School in Drexel Hill.
Read more »
Bridgeland High School softball team qualifies for state for 1st time in school historyA senior on the team said drive is needed in order to be successful, and she's definitely got it. On the field, she's a pitcher. Off the field, she's an accomplished journalist.
Read more »