Former Madison Public Schools teacher Nixel Ortiz was sentenced to 24 months' probation and ordered to pay a $2000 fine for a case involving a minor.
As part of her sentence, Ortiz was also ordered to register on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry for a period of 25 years.
The 30-year-old teacher was initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse by a school employee. According to court records, the charge was amended, and Ortiz pleaded guilty to criminal attempt-sexual abuse by a school employee, a Class 3A felony.
While under probation, Ortiz must follow several conditions, including reporting to a probation officer and not violating any laws.
As previously reported, Ortiz was arrested in May 2024 after a Nebraska State Patrol investigation. According to court documents, Ortiz began communicating with an 18-year-old student from Madison High School during the 2023 winter break. The two reportedly exchanged messages via text, Instagram and Snapchat.
Ortiz told investigators that after drinking at a graduation party on May 5, she picked up the student, whom she believed to be 19 years old, and took them to her apartment. Documents allege the two had a sexual encounter on May 6 before Ortiz drove the student home.
Under Nebraska law, anyone under the age of 19 is considered a minor. Ortiz was arrested on May 13 after a warrant was issued. Ortiz, who taught middle school English, was initially placed on administrative leave and is no longer listed on the staff roster.
