Bail set at $1 million for former teacher accused of sexual abuse

PALMER — Former Iditarod Elementary School teacher Lukis Nighswonger appeared in Palmer Superior Court on Monday for a change of bail hearing. Nighswonger’s bail was increased to $500,000 cash performance and $500,000 cash appearance, with electronic monitoring on house arrest by Judge Jonathan Woodman, should he post bail.

Nighswonger’s trial week was moved to April 8 with a pretrial conference on March 18, as his schedule trial week has been vacated. Due to additional police reports and digital evidence, Nighswonger’s Attorney Neal Ainsworth Jr., asked for a continuance, which was granted. Nighswonger will enter not guilty pleas on the additional 14 charges brought against him. Nighswonger was originally arraigned on five counts of sexual abuse of a minor classified as four Class B felonies and one Class C felony. Nighswonger’s original five charges were sexual abuse, but he is now being charged with one count of sexual assault, requiring an element of force according to Assistant District Attorney Melissa Wininger-Howard. Nighswonger is now looking at two unclassified charges, and bail was increased due to his risk of fleeing.

“He made statements that if he got out, he might split to some place like Mexico where he can repress his memories and get on with life,” Wininger-Howard said. “It is the state’s position that there are likely even more victims out there. He is an extreme danger to the public as he described himself as a pedophile who has a loss of control and it’s something that he can’t control.”

In presenting her argument for increased bail monies, Wiinger-Howard said that Nighswonger has been this way his whole life, and that all of the charges occurred within the classroom, many with other students present. Additional attorney’s came forward to read statements provided by Nighswonger’s victims.

“Please do not grant him bail. I feel it is not safe for my family and the community if he is out,” one statement from an anonymous victim said.

Repeated reports were made to Wasilla Police and the school, and Nighswonger was aware of the reports.

“I have frequent nightmares of him being released from jail,” read another victim statement. “He robbed me of childhood memory, ability to trust, and right to feel safe in a school.”

Ainsworth made it apparent that Nighswonger would not make an attempt to fight the increase in bail monies.

“We have no objection because he has no desire to bond out,” Ainsworth said.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.