High school counsellor accused of sexually assaulting female student over 100 times
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A former Colorado high school counsellor allegedly sexually assaulted a female student more than 100 times over several years.
Cassandra Poncelow, 40, first met the student in her office in the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colorado, according to court documents obtained by KUSA.
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The two allegedly formed a relationship, and began meeting away from the school before Poncelow began bringing the girl to her home for “sleepovers.”
The student, now an adult, went to police in July to report that she had been assaulted more than 100 times over several years at Poncelow’s home, police said.
The girl told police she felt like she was going to die after the alleged sexual assault — but claimed Poncelow told her, “If you tell anyone, I’ll kill myself,” KCNC reported, citing the arrest affidavit.
At some point, Poncelow, who recently became sober, expressed regret for her actions, allegedly telling the victim that she was ashamed for falling in love with the girl and their “physical and sexual relationship was not okay,” police said.
“Lack of boundary, not okay,” she reportedly told the alleged victim, according to cops. “The power difference, not okay. It was wrong.”
The timeline of the alleged assaults were not made known, but Poncelow worked for the school district from 2007 to 2024.
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“Poncelow had an inappropriate relationship with a student for several years and sexually assaulted the student on multiple occasions off campus,” Fort Collins police said in a statement.
She was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with sexual assault, sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, criminal attempt to commit sexual exploitation of children, and aggravated sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist.
She is being held at the Larimer County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
The Colorado Department of Human Services first learned of the allegations in 2023, but when it contacted the student she denied their relationship was sexual, KUSA reported.
The case was reopened when the former student agreed to come forward last month.
Poncelow’s LinkedIn page shows she worked as a part-time counsellor and engagement specialist from 2011 to 2024.
The district told the outlet that Poncelow resigned “effective Sept. 6, 2024.”
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