Teacher's aide to plead in sex with boy

A Fernley teacher's aide waived her preliminary hearing and is expected to plead guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

Tracie Nelson, 37, appeared before a justice of the peace in Fernley Justice Court on Tuesday.

She was arrested Oct. 19 on suspicion of felony statutory sexual seduction, gross misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor and open and gross lewdness.

Deputy District Attorney Brandi Jensen said Nelson is expected to plead Monday in District Court in Yerington to the felony charge. In exchange for the plea, the contributing and delinquency charges will be dismissed. Statutory sexual seduction carries a penalty of one to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

According to court records, Nelson, a teacher's aide at Fernley Intermediate School, allegedly engaged in sex with a 15-year-old boy in view of other students. She also allegedly provided alcohol to the boys, whom she'd met the previous year when they attended Fernley Intermediate School.

The juveniles questioned by investigators allegedly reported that on Oct. 6 Nelson picked them up from a birthday party, purchased alcohol and drove to a secluded location in Fernley.

At some point, she allegedly got into the backseat with one of the male juveniles and engaged in sexual intercourse with him while two other juveniles waited outside the vehicle.

Lyon County Sheriff's Lt. Rob Hall said that before Nelson could be interviewed, she allegedly took an intentional drug overdose and was rushed to the hospital.

Nelson was initially suspended with pay from the school district but has since been fired.

She surrendered to police after her release from the hospital and is being held in the Lyon County Jail on $10,000 bail.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.