McCook Junior High teacher accused of harassing student

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - A McCook Junior High School teacher will be in court next month on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Court records identify the defendant as 34-year-old Deon Allen, who is listed as an eighth-grade social studies teacher on the McCook Public Schools website.

On July 30, the McCook Police Department issued a criminal citation against Allen. The following day, a Red Willow County District Court judge issued a harassment protection order against Allen after a petition alleged that an adult had harassed a minor. The filing included screenshots of social media messages the petitioner claimed were exchanged between the teacher and the student.

Red Willow County court documents indicate that Allen was charged on Aug. 14.

Allen entered his not guilty plea on Aug. 19, and his arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. in Red Willow County Court.

When asked about Allen’s current employment, McCook Public Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard told News Channel Nebraska partners at News 2: “Mr. Allen is currently on administrative leave while his position with the district is under internal review.”

The case remains active, with Judge Patrick Heng presiding over the civil protection order matter.