Former North Platte teacher sentenced for three felonies

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - A former North Platte High School educator convicted in two separate cases last year was sentenced in Lincoln County District Court.

In November of 2024, David Cooper pled no contest to the charges brought against him in two cases, totaling three charges. The cases revolve around the allege sexual abuse of a former student beginning in November of 2022 and ending upon Cooper’s arrest in February of 2023.

He pled no contest in the first case to attempted first-degree sexual assault or sexual abuse by a school employee and third-degree sexual abuse by a school employee. Cooper also pled no contest in the second case for tampering with a witness.

On Monday, Judge Cindy Volkmer sentenced Cooper on all three charges after the victim’s family agreed not to seek restitution.

“On count two, I am going to sentence the defendant to a period of incarceration of 24 months. On count one, I am going to sentence the defendant to a period of incarceration of 36 months. Those two periods of incarceration are to run consecutively,” Judge Volkmer said. “In CR 23-403 on count one, I am going to sentence the defendant to a period of incarceration of 24 months which will run consecutive to the other two charges.”

Judge Volkmer also stated the reasoning behind the sentencing.

“I find that there are substantial and compelling reasons for a period of incarceration which include the failure of the defendant to acknowledge the effect of his actions and the finding in the sex offender evaluation indicating a moderate risk of sexual offending recidivism,” Judge Volkmer said.

Over 500 days will be credited to the total of the charges and Cooper is required to register as a sex offender for 25 years.

“A lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the defendant’s crime and promote disrespect of the law,” Judge Volkmer said.