Judge finds former charter school teacher guilty of sexually assaulting a student

A judge has found a former teacher guilty of sexually assaulting one of his students at Harvest Best Academy in Minneapolis.

Abdul Jameel Wright was convicted on Wednesday of one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct by a person in a position of authority against a 13–15-year-old victim.

RELATED: 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year charged with sexually assaulting former student

According to charging documents, Wright, 39, groomed and sexually abused one of his eighth-grade students starting in 2017. The assaults took place on school property, in Wright’s car, in a basement where Wright was staying and at the victim’s mother’s apartment.

The victim came forward years later, and her testimony contributed to a guilty verdict at trial.

“My thoughts are with the victim of Mr. Wright’s harmful and grossly inappropriate conduct. Her testimony was an act of courage,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “Mr. Wright abused his authority, and the trust placed in him as a teacher. The sentence that follows will protect our community and hold him accountable for his actions.”

Wright faces a presumptive sentence of 12 years in prison, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. His sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 8.

Wright was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2016 while he was an employee at Harvest Best Academy. He left the school in 2021 and went on to teach at St. Louis Park High School until his resignation in June 2024.

“Harvest Best Academy is thankful that Wright has been held accountable for his actions,” the school said in a statement following the verdict. “We continue to express concern for the victim and the victim’s family. This incident has also been a challenge for our entire school community.”

Related stories:

Former teacher in prison for sexually assaulting children pleads guilty to 12 more charges
Minnesota Supreme Court rules charter school can be held liable for hire of sexual abuser
Basketball coach convicted of sexually abusing boys sentenced to 12 years in prison

Wright is not the only person associated with Harvest Best to be convicted on criminal sexual conduct charges.

Serial child sexual abuser Aaron Hjermstad was hired to coach basketball at Harvest Best the same year Wright’s misconduct occurred.

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that Harvest Best can be held liable for hiring Hjermstad, who had previously been fired from a charter school in Brooklyn Park over reports of sexual abuse.
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