2 years in prison for Kimberly Gersonde, former teacher's aide convicted of having sex with 2 boys

WAUKESHA COUNTY -- A judge on Wednesday, December 13th sentenced Kimberly Gersonde, a former teacher’s aide from Menomonee Falls, to serve 2 years in prison and 3 years extended supervision for having sex with two 16-year-old boys.

Gersonde, 24, in October pleaded no contest to two counts of sex assault of student by school staff -- felony charges.

The former St. Francis School District teacher's aide was convicted of sexually assaulting two 16-year-old boys.

"I have never been so embarrassed and terrified in my entire life because of the poor decisions I have made," Gersonde said during her sentencing hearing. "I am wholeheartedly, sincerely remorseful. I take full responsibility for everything that occurred with both victims. I struggle to find answers as to why I committed this crime, but I do know I let my unstable emotions, longing for affection and profound sense of loneliness take over my life."

According to a criminal complaint, on May 25th, police met with a student at Menomonee Falls High School, who indicated he met Gersonde in the fall of 2015 when he was picking up his brothers from Ben Franklin Elementary School. He said Gersonde was involved with a 4K Wrap Around program, and employed by Kids Inc. to provide care for elementary school students after school.

On that day, the victim told police Gersonde gave him a sticky note with her phone number on it, and they then communicated by phone in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016. He noted they would also spend time driving around in Gersonde's car -- telling police she would sometimes pick him up from a Park and Ride on Good Hope near 45. He said they would kiss, and told police "nothing sexual happened until August of 2016."

Prosecutors say Gersonde moved into a new apartment in Menomonee Falls, and the victim said he began going over to her house, and he "would occasionally spend the night over there." He told police they had sex at least twice in August, once in September, and once in October. He indicated in all, they had sex "at least nine times" after Gersonde moved into her apartment. The victim said he was a "willing participant, even though he was 16 at the time," and Gersonde was 23.

According to the complaint, the victim indicated he "attempted to break up with her but it was difficult and she began to continually pester him and call/text him constantly." He eventually had to block her number.

During court, it was revealed she was eventually extorted by that student, and later fired for not being forthcoming during the school's investigation into the matter.

Then, she got a job at St. Francis High School.

"In March, you're meeting (the victim) and in April you're having sex with him. This is just a matter of months of all these other really bad things happening to you as the result of your bad decisions," the judge said during Gersonde's sentencing hearing.

A second victim, a student at St. Francis High School, was interviewed on May 18th. He told investigators he had sex with Gersonde at her Menomonee Falls home beginning on or around April 29th.

According to the complaint, this victim and Gersonde met in March during study hall. The victim said Gersonde was employed to watch students during study hall and the lunch hour.

After meeting, the victim told investigators he and Gersonde began to email and communicate via Twitter, and he said Gersonde expressed interest in attending his track and football practices. On or around April 29th, the victim indicated Gersonde attended his football tryout and waited for him in her car. She kissed him, he said, and "promised to send him her address."

Prosecutors say he went over to her home later that night and spent the night with her, and he said they had sex.

They continued to communicate after that, he said, and on or around May 5th, he and Gersonde had sex again after a track meet at her home in Menomonee Falls. This victim was 16 years old at the time.

The criminal complaint includes incriminating text messages alleged to have been sent by Gersonde and the victim, including this exchange:

Gersonde: "They questioned me and I said 'I'm done doing this,' so I'm meeting with my lawyer tonight and I said 'I quit' today. I'm under investigation."

Victim: "Did you delete the stuff?"

Gersonde: "Yes, but I think they can still check what's been deleted. I know I'm screwed. Maybe jail isn't the worst thing in the world."

The complaint notes that Gersonde was employed with the St. Francis School District on March 21st and resigned by email on May 19th.