Not Guilty Aaron N. Knodel, West Fargo, North Dakota (arrested Aug 2014)

Back in the news as of 26 February 2024: Story of former West Fargo student's allegations against teacher lands on streaming service

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Aaron N. Knodel, 35, English teacher and speech & debate coach at West Fargo High School, West Fargo Public Schools, West Fargo, North Dakota, "charged Friday with five felony counts for allegedly having sexual contact with a female student [age 17] more than five years ago"

North Dakota Teacher of the Year Charged with Soliciting Minors

Court documents detailed several incidents occurring in 2009, including where Knodel allegedly engaged in sexual acts with a 17-year-old girl in a classroom at West Fargo High School, once at his residence and another in his car. Knodel was awarded ‘Teacher of the Year’ for the entire state last September and has been on paid administrative leave since February.

According to court documents from Cass County, Aaron Knodel is charged with five counts of corruption or solicitation of minors. The documents detail several incidents that occurred in February or March in 2009, including one where Knodel allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a 17-year-old in a classroom at West Fargo High School and another at Knodel's residence ... Two of the charges against Knodel are Class B Felonies and three others are Class C Felonies. ​

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http://www.valleynewslive.com/story...er-of-the-year-charged-with-soliciting-minors

 

ND teacher of the year charged with 5 felonies

A reigning North Dakota teacher of the year was charged Friday with five felony counts for allegedly having sexual contact with a female student more than five years ago.

A complaint filed in East Central District Court charges Aaron Knodel, an English teacher at West Fargo High School, with corruption or solicitation of a minor. He's scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 5.​

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https://news.yahoo.com/nd-teacher-charged-5-felonies-004522151.html

ND Teacher of the Year Charged With 5 Felonies

A reigning North Dakota teacher of the year was charged Friday with five felony counts for allegedly having sexual contact with a female student more than five years ago. A complaint filed in East Central District Court charges Aaron Knodel, an English ...

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http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/teacher-year-charged-felonies-25093101

North Dakota teacher of the year charged with five felonies

FARGO, N.D. — The reigning North Dakota teacher of the year is accused of engaging in sexual acts with a student more than five years ago. A complaint filed Friday in East Central District Court charges Aaron Knodel, of Fargo, with five felony counts of ...

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http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/north-dakota-teacher-of-the-year-charged-with-five-felonies/article_78abf052-2a38-11e4-98e6-001a4bcf887a.html

North Dakota teacher of the year charged with 5 felonies

WEST FARGO, N.D. | A reigning North Dakota teacher of the year was charged Friday with five felony counts for allegedly having sexual contact with a female student more than five years ago. A complaint filed in East Central District Court charges Aaron ...

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http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/latest/north-dakota-teacher-of-the-year-charged-with-felonies/article_be702576-bec7-5d0a-8df1-069ad2e5db1a.html

 

ND Teacher of the Year charged with sex crimes

A West Fargo High School teacher has been charged with five felony counts of corruption, or solicitation of a minor. The charges were filed in Cass County District Court against North Dakota Teacher of the Year Aaron Knodel. The criminal complaint says Knodel engaged in a sex act with a 17-year-old female student in a classroom at West Fargo High School. Court documents say sexual contact was also made with the girl at Knodel's residence and in her car.

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http://kfgo.com/news/articles/2014/aug/22/nd-teacher-of-the-year-charged-with-sex-crimes/

 

School Board Discusses Knodel's Suspension

The West Fargo School Board plans to recommend suspension without pay and benefits at their meeting tonight for a teacher that is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student. Aaron Knodel is charged with five counts of corruption or solicitation of a minor for several incidents back in 2009.

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http://www.kfyrtv.com/story/26362843/school-board-discusses-knodels-suspension

 

Award-Winning Teacher Charged With Multiple Felonies For Engaging In Sexual Relationship With Student (DETAILS)

A celebrated teacher from North Dakota is facing charges of engaging in a sexual relationship with a student. According to the Huffington Post, Aaron Knodel of West Fargo High School will most likely be placed on suspension after five felony charges were announced on Friday. The complaint states that Knodel had sex with a former student who was 17-years-old.

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http://globalgrind.com/2014/08/25/a...ing-sexual-relationship-with-student-details/

 

North Dakota teacher of the year suspended without pay while child sex case proceeds

The West Fargo School Board on Monday night voted unanimously to suspend Aaron Knodel without pay or benefits, according to WDAY-TV and KFGO radio. He had been on paid administrative leave since mid-February, when the school first learned of the allegations against him. He was criminally charged Friday.

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http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/666450cff75e4bc7a8a035e5c2f0e8cd/ND--Teacher-of-Year-Charged

 

North Dakota Teacher of the Year had sexual affair with teen student: authorities

A North Dakota Teacher of the Year has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a student, allegedly including X-rated hookups in his classroom and his house while his children slept upstairs, authorities said. Aaron Knodel, an English teacher at West Fargo High School, was slapped with five felonies for the alleged relationship with one of his 17-year-old pupils, which took place more than five years ago, authorities and school officials said.

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The two agreed that Knodel would always text the girl first, so he'd be prepared for her response and avoid getting caught by his wife, The Forum reported. The woman told police she and Knodel hooked up in his classroom at least five or 10 times. They also had sex in her car and, on at least one occasion in February 2009, in the basement of his house while his wife was away and his children were sleeping, the newspaper said.​

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http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teacher-year-sex-student-authorities-article-1.1917217

 

ND Teacher of Year Accused of Sexual Contact with Student Appears in Court

A reigning North Dakota teacher of the year accused of allegedly having sexual contact with a female student more than five years ago made his first appearance in court Friday. Aaron Knodel, an English teacher at West Fargo High School, was charged on Aug. 22 with five felony counts of corruption or solicitation of a minor.

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Knodel appeared in court Friday for an arraignment hearing Friday. ABC affiliate WDAY reports he was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear next on Oct. 2 for a preliminary hearing.​

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http://kstp.com/news/stories/s3552368.shtml

 

North Dakota Teacher of the Year charged for sex with student

Aaron Knodel was charged Aug. 22 in Cass County District Court with five counts of felony corruption or solicitation of a minor. He appeared in court Friday for an arraignment hearing.

A judge set Knodel’s bail at $10,000 but released him on his own recognizance, meaning he didn’t have to post any of the bail amount or be booked into jail. As part of the conditions of his release, he was ordered not to have any contact with his alleged victim. His next hearing, a preliminary hearing at which he will enter a plea, is set for Nov. 5, according to online court records.

The former student, who is identified only by her initials in charging documents, also appeared in court Friday. She declined to comment.​

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http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014...r-charged-for-sex-with-student/4621409939966/

 

N.D. Teacher of the Year released after hearing in sex case

Aaron Knodel was charged Aug. 22 in Cass County District Court with five counts of felony corruption or solicitation of a minor. He appeared in court Friday for an arraignment hearing. A judge set Knodel’s bail at $10,000 but released him on his own recognizance, meaning he didn’t have to post any of the bail amount or be booked into jail. As part of the conditions of his release, he was ordered not to have any contact with his alleged victim.

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http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/nd-teacher-year-released-after-hearing-sex-case-0

 

Plea in Former Teacher of the Year Case

Aaron Knodel, a former North Dakota Teacher of the Year, waived his right to a preliminary hearing that would have required the state to lay out evidence against him in order to establish reasonable grounds for the charges filed. Knodel also waived his rights to have the five different counts of Corruption Or Solicitation of Minors read against him. Each of those charges is a felony. Knodel then entered a plea of not guilty to all five of the charges.

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http://www.kxnet.com/story/27286111/plea-in-former-teacher-of-the-year-case

 

N.D. Teacher of Year denies sex with student charges in court

FARGO – In a loud, clear voice, West Fargo high school teacher Aaron Knodel said Wednesday in Cass County District Court that he is “not guilty” of having a sexual relationship with a student. Knodel was charged Aug. 22 with five counts of felony ...

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http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/nd-teacher-year-denies-sex-student-charges-court

 

Trial Set for Former Teacher of the Year

A former North Dakota teacher of the year who is accused of a child sex crime is scheduled for trial early next spring. Court officials have scheduled a 5-7-day trial for Aaron Knodel, beginning March 24.

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http://www.kxnet.com/story/27525855/trial-set-for-former-teacher-of-the-year

 

March trial date set for West Fargo teacher accused of sex with student

A five- to seven-day trial starting March 24 has been scheduled in Cass County District Court for Aaron Knodel, who was charged Aug. 22 with five counts of felony corruption or solicitation of a minor. After pleading not guilty to the charges Nov. 5, a dispositional conference was scheduled for this week, a hearing where a date is set either for a trial or for a change of plea. According to court records, this week’s hearing was continued to March 10.

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http://bismarcktribune.com/news/sta...cle_6c1be806-7a33-11e4-be1e-f383ca4b941a.html

 

Defense in West Fargo teacher sex case wants handwriting analysis based on notes in 'Twilight' book tossed

The defense attorney for a former West Fargo teacher accused of having sex with a female student has asked that a handwriting analysis be excluded as evidence. Attorneys are set to begin arguing pretrial motions on Thursday in the case against 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Aaron Knodel.

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In Hoy’s motion, he argues that the BCI agent was “less than qualified as an expert in the area of handwriting analysis,” and the agent should not be allowed to testify for the prosecution during the trial, which is scheduled to start March 24. Hoy said the agent doesn’t have two-year or four-year advanced degree. While the agent completed a correspondence course from the American Institute of Applied Science, the completion of the course does not qualify anyone as a document examiner, Hoy said in his motion.

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http://www.inforum.com/news/crime/3...x-case-wants-handwriting-analysis-based-notes

Handwriting testimony argued in Teacher of the Year sex case

Knodel was charged Aug. 22 in Cass County District Court with five counts of felony corruption or solicitation of a minor. The West Fargo High School English teacher, academic coach and 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year is accused of engaging in sexual ...

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http://www.grandforksherald.com/new...riting-testimony-argued-teacher-year-sex-case

 

Defense in teacher sex case claims drug use, psychiatric issues will impact student’s credibility

An attorney for the 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year accused of having a sexual relationship with a student in 2009 argued in court Thursday that the student’s admitted psychiatric problems and drug use will affect her credibility as the state’s key witness. Defense attorney Robert Hoy asked a Cass County District Court judge to grant more access to health records than the basic information the former student has already given investigators, but the prosecution said the court should not allow attorneys to go on “fishing expeditions” of witness histories. Judge Steven McCullough said Thursday he would need more information before issuing a decision, but he wants to do so before the case against former West Fargo High School English teacher Aaron Knodel heads to trial.​

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http://www.inforum.com/news/crime/3...g-use-psychiatric-issues-will-impact-students

 

Jury likely won’t see polygraph test in trial of ND Teacher of the Year accused of sexual relationship with student

A polygraph test passed by the 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year [Aaron Knodel] accused of having a sexual relationship with a student in 2009 will not be permitted at trial when the case goes before a jury at the end of this month.

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http://www.inforum.com/news/crime/3...aph-test-trial-nd-teacher-year-accused-sexual

Jury likely won’t see polygraph test in trial of teacher accused of sexual relationship with student

When Knodel was charged, Hoy said his client had taken and passed a lie detector test proving his innocence. The West Fargo School Board placed the 35-year-old English teacher and activities coach on paid leave about a year ago while authorities ...

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http://www.westfargopioneer.com/new...est-trial-teacher-accused-sexual-relationship

Jury unlikely to see polygraph in ND Teacher of the Year sex trial

The West Fargo School Board placed the 35-year-old English teacher and activities coach on paid leave about a year ago while authorities investigated the allegations, then suspended him without pay or benefits on Aug. 25 after he was charged. In September ...

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http://www.grandforksherald.com/new...ikely-see-polygraph-nd-teacher-year-sex-trial

Jury likely won’t see polygraph test results for former West Fargo teacher accused of having sex with student

The West Fargo School Board placed the 35-year-old English teacher and activities coach on paid leave about a year ago while authorities investigated the allegations, then suspended him without pay or benefits on Aug. 25 after he was charged. In September ...

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http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/ne...est-results-former-west-fargo-teacher-accused

 

Knodel's attorney argues against using testimony of his alleged victim's handwriting evidence

Today, both the state and defense discussed various motions including whether to allow testimony from a BCI agent on handwriting evidence. The criminal complaint states the victim provided a copy of the Twilight novel containing notes from [Aaron] Knodel about their relationship, but the defense argues the agent is not a handwriting expert. Judge Steven McCullough/Cass County, "I can tell you that I am highly skeptical of Agent Kelly's qualifications to testify in this case on this issue." The judge deferred his ruling on the handwriting testimony until trial.

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http://www.wday.com/news/crime/3696...ing-testimony-his-alleged-victims-handwriting

 

Former "Teacher of the Year" in court

The criminal complain says the victim provided a copy of the "Twilight" novel, containing notes from [Aaron] Knodel about the relationship. Both sides are questioning whether the messages in the book are legitimate.

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http://www.fox28.com/story/28350402/2015/03/10/former-teacher-of-the-year-in-court

 

West Fargo teacher trial could be postponed

The trial for the 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year accused of having sex with a student is set to start Tuesday, but it could be delayed after prosecutors added a second handwriting expert to their witness list. According to the criminal complaint charging West Fargo English teacher Aaron Knodel, the student provided the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a copy of a vampire-themed “Twilight” novel that contains handwritten notes, allegedly from Knodel, that refer to their relationship. Hoy previously argued that a BCI agent listed as a possible state’s witness doesn’t qualify as an expert ... ...

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http://www.inforum.com/news/crime/3705014-west-fargo-teacher-trial-could-be-postponed

Trial for West Fargo teacher accused of sex with student could be postponed

The highly decorated teacher and academic coach was placed on suspension without pay or benefits from the West Fargo School District on Aug. 25, three days after he was charged. Scheduled to start with jury selection on Tuesday, Knodel’s trial is ...

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http://www.grandforksherald.com/new...eacher-accused-sex-student-could-be-postponed