APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – The former Appleton West High School teacher arrested regarding allegations of intercourse with a student during the 2017-18 school year has been formally charged.
In a criminal complaint against 43-year-old Rebecca Ryan of Neenah, she faces three counts of sexual assault of a student by school staff, all listed as Class H felonies. Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to six years and/or $10,000 in fines, if convicted.
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The complaint said that each of the counts stems from alleged sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old student on or around September 1, 2017, through around January 1, 2018.
According to the complaint, the victim, now 25 years old, spoke with authorities in March 2025. The victim stated that he had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions in different locations, but the first occurred in the Appleton West High School parking lot.
On April 15, 2025, the victim and Appleton Police Officers had a phone call with Ryan.
Officers with the Appleton Police Department met with Ryan at her home and asked her about the sexual encounters, and she claimed not to remember the first time.
The complaint said she put her head in her hands, saying, ‘I did not sleep with the victim.’
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Ryan had an initial court hearing on Thursday, where her cash bond was set at $50,000.
Local 5 will provide updates as needed.
