BREAKING NEWS: Steele County Attorney’s Office charges former teacher

The Steele County Attorney today announced that a former teacher in Northfield has been charged with two counts of electronic communication of sexually explicit materials to children.

Katie Hanson, 37, of Lonsdale, was charged with two counts of electronic communication of sexually explicit materials to children, County Attorney Robert Jarrett said.

Jarrett’s office is handling the matter related to Hanson on behalf of the Rice County Attorney’s Office to avoid any conflict of interest.

According to the complaint, the Northfield Police Department was alerted to the conduct of Hanson in December 2024. Investigation revealed the conduct was initially reported to a former officer in the spring of 2024 but was not thoroughly investigated by that officer. A subsequent investigation, which included the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), revealed the alleged criminal conduct.

The former officer’s conduct was charged by the Waseca County Attorney’s Office.

Hanson’s first court appearance at Rice County District Court is scheduled for July 23.