Pine Island Teacher Sentencing Appeal Denied

A former Pine Island teacher who was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year for sexually assaulting a minor student, has had her request for a reduced sentence denied.

26-year-old Lindsey Schneeberger pleaded guilty last year to first-degree sexual criminal conduct. Court documents say Schneeberger began as the 13-year-old student’s volleyball team coach in the fall of 2022.

Schneeberger then became the student’s physical education teacher in the spring of 2023 and the two would “hang out” at Schneeberger’s Rochester home when the incidents occurred.

Schneeberger’s appeal argued the judge abused his discretion by denying her motion for a downward departure from sentencing guidelines.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled there were some factors in the case that could have supported her request, but that did not mean the judge was required to grant it.