Justine Nelson faces up to three years in prison
By
Christine Pelisek
April 10, 2019 05:11 PM
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.
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According to the
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 the
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, the
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,” the Associated Press reports.
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 to ABC 30.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office could not be reached for comment. Nor could Nelson’s attorney.
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According to the
Sentencing for Nelson is scheduled for June 10.