Local elementary school teacher arrested, charged with sexual abuse of minor

WASILLA — A local teacher is in custody, charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor.

Lukis Nighswonger, 36, was arrested Wednesday and has been transported to Mat-Su Pretrial, pending arraignment, according to the Wasilla Police Department. In a statement released Wednesday evening, the Mat-Su Borough School District received the report of the alleged abuse on Monday.

The MSBSD has confirmed that Nighswonger was a teacher at Iditarod Elementary in Wasilla at the time of his arrest.

“It is our number one priority to support any potential victims,” MSBSD superintendent Monica Goyette said in a statement released by the school district Wednesday evening. “In full cooperation with the Wasilla Police Department, we are asking that any concerns of harm are delivered directly to law enforcement. “

WPD is asking anyone with more information to contact Investigator Bennett at 907-352-5418 or dbennett@ci.wasilla.ak.us.

The MSBSD initially received a report that a male teacher had inappropriately touched a student, according to WPD. Nighswonger, of Wasilla, now faces three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, a Class B felony.

This is a developing story.

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