Cottage Grove school officer charged with sexual misconduct

A Cottage Grove police officer is facing charges after prosecutors say he inappropriately touched students at Park High School.

Last October, police began investigating allegations against school resource officer Adam Pelton.

According to the criminal complaint, Pelton initiated hugs with female students and then touched their buttocks over their clothing.

In May 2019, the 40-year-old allegedly requested nude photos from a 17-year-old girl via the Snapchat app. She did not send any.

Prosecutors say Pelton told another teenager that he would date her if he were younger.

A spokesperson for the city of Cottage Grove said the case was transferred to an outside agency soon after the initial investigation by the city’s police department. Pelton, of River Falls, Wis., is facing seven felony counts of criminal sexual conduct and is on leave from his job.

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