March, 3, 2026
SPARTA, Wis. — Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that on Feb. 27, 2026, the Honorable Judge Paul Curran found Melissa R. Knutson, of Readstown, guilty of Misconduct in Public Office and Obstructing an Officer. The convictions followed Knutson’s pleas to both charges.
Judge Curran sentenced Knutson to 18 months of initial confinement in state prison and two years of extended supervision for the Misconduct in Public Office conviction. She also received a concurrent 180‑day jail sentence for the Obstructing an Officer conviction. Knutson was taken into custody immediately following the hearing.
The charges stemmed from Knutson’s employment as a nurse for Monroe County. While serving in that role, Knutson repeatedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a drug court participant under her care. When the conduct was reported to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Knutson falsely accused the patient of sexual assault. In both a written letter and her plea, Knutson acknowledged she had fabricated the allegation to avoid consequences for her actions.
District Attorney Croninger praised the sentence.
“The harm caused by Ms. Knutson was deep and significant. Not only did she violate the sacred trust between a patient and a nurse,” said Croninger. “But she compounded that by falsely accusing the patient of sexual assault. This situation is particularly egregious given that the patient was a participant in drug court. Judge Curran was extremely concerned about the significant level of harm caused by Ms. Knutson, and his sentence reflected that. We are thankful for Judge Curran’s perspective, understanding, and the sentence he handed down.”
Judge Curran, who serves as a Juneau County Circuit Court judge, described Knutson’s conduct as “despicable” and said she was “an embarrassment to nurses everywhere.” He further noted that Knutson appeared to believe she was “more important than everyone else,” and that her remorse was “a mile wide and an inch deep.”
The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Croninger with support from the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office staff.
The investigation was led by Lt. Jose Tovar of the Sparta Police Department, with assistance from Deputy Chief Booker Ferguson and Officer Adam Malin of the Sparta Police Department; Investigator Andrew Kuen of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; and Investigator JoEllen Egge of the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
Croninger commended the investigative work, stating:
“All officers involved demonstrated a tremendous commitment to seeking the truth through evidence. Every sexual assault report is taken seriously. When Ms. Knutson reported she was sexually assaulted, that allegation was investigated thoroughly and professionally. Officers determined she was lying and then completed an extremely thorough investigation that uncovered a wealth of evidence showing Ms. Knutson was the perpetrator, not the victim. Without this commitment to uncovering the truth, an unjust result may have occurred. Instead, the truth was discovered and justice was served.”
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