Former South Platte teacher to stand trial on sexual assault of a child charges

BIG SPRINGS - A former Nebraska panhandle teacher and boys basketball coach will be arraigned in Deuel County District Court in November on charges of sexual assault of a child.

Joel Foster, 37, of Big Springs, is accused of having inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old student between Jan. 1 and Sept. 14, 2022. The former South Platte Public Schools employee was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol in September. 

According to the arrest affidavit, Foster intentionally and knowingly encouraged or forced the minor to engage in "debauchery, public indecency, or obscene or pornographic photography, films or depictions.”

Foster will be arraigned on Nov. 9.

In a district-wide digital notification, South Platte Public Schools Superintendent said Foster was immediately terminated as soon as the school district learned of the allegations. The school district cooperated fully with the investigation.