Former Iditarod Elementary teacher sentenced for sexually abusing minors

PALMER — Former Iditarod Elementary School teacher Lukis Nighswonger was sentenced at the Palmer Courthouse Tuesday, May 30 for sexually abusing minors.

According to the state's sentencing memorandum, Nighswonger will serve a 46-year sentence with an additional 40 years of suspended time.

The 40-year-old former teacher must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Palmer Judge Jonathan Woodman accepted Nighswonger's guilty plea for 11 counts of sexual abuse toward 11 different victims, according to a recent press release from the Alaska Department of Law. 10 of the 11 victims were students in his classroom.

Nighswonger was sentenced with 6 counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor (6 victims), 1 count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, 1 count of second-degree sexual assault, 1 count of attempted second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, 1 count first-degree harassment, and 1 count of second-degree harassment.

According to the press release, Nighswonger indicated that he first started sexually abusing minors in 2002 after sexually assaulting a juvenile in a dressing room while working as a tailor at JC Penny's.

Nighswonger worked as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher and athletics coach at Iditarod Elementary School for 14 years.

During his time at Iditarod, the sexual offenses took place from 2008 to 2018.

Palmer District Attorney Melissa Wininger-Howard stated in the memorandum that Nighswonger was an accomplished and award-winning teacher who “used his power and proximity to the minor victims to sexually abuse them for his own sexual gratification.”

Numerous victims, family members, and supporters attended the sentencing hearing. Several victims impact statements were also made during the hearing.

According to the press release, Wininger-Howard told the court that “All of the survivors of the defendant’s sexual abuse should be commended for coming forward and seeing the criminal justice process through to the end, so their abuser is held accountable and cannot hurt any more children and families. All of the survivors demonstrated tremendous bravery, and the finality of the 46-year sentence will hopefully help the survivors through the healing process.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com