Park-Cottage Grove resource officer charged with criminal sexual conduct involving female students

A 40-year-old law enforcement officer has been charged with criminal sexual conduct involving female students at Park High School in Cottage Grove. Prosecutors say Adam Pelton was working as a resource officer at the school when he was accused by at least seven students of inappropriate touching from September 2018 through October 2019. The victims claim Pelton repeatedly initiated hugs with them during which he would touch their buttocks over their clothing. One of the students reported that Pelton asked her to send him nude pictures. When questioned by investigators, Pelton denied touching any student’s buttocks and he initially denied asking for nude pictures, but later admitted asking for them after she graduated “as a joke.” Pelton has been on administrative leave since the investigation began last October.