Former Minnesota Teacher of the Year Convicted of Sexually Abusing Student

Former Minnesota Teacher of the Year Convicted of Sexually Abusing Student

MINNEAPOLIS — September 16, 2025 — Abdul Jameel Wright, the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, has been found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a student while he was her teacher at Harvest Best Academy in north Minneapolis.

Conviction and Custody

On September 10, a Hennepin County District Court judge delivered the guilty verdict following a five-day bench trial. Wright, 39, had waived his right to a jury trial. He was immediately taken into custody after the ruling and remains held in Hennepin County Jail. Prosecutors requested his detention, citing recorded jailhouse phone calls from 2024 in which Wright mentioned the possibility of fleeing.

Details of the Abuse

The case stems from sexual abuse that began in 2017, just months after Wright earned statewide recognition as Teacher of the Year. The victim, then a 14-year-old eighth grader, testified that Wright groomed her by giving her special attention, isolating her from peers, and ingratiating himself with her family.

The assaults occurred at multiple locations — including a classroom at Harvest Best Academy, Wright’s car, and the victim’s family’s apartment. The victim, now 22, testified that Wright abused her at least 50 times over several months.

Key Evidence

A pivotal moment in the trial came from a recording made by the victim’s mother in May 2024. In it, she confronted Wright, who admitted to having sex with the girl and begged her not to go to the police. Prosecutors argued the recording was clear evidence of guilt. Wright later testified that he only made the admission to “appease” the mother, but the judge rejected that claim, noting the recording directly contradicted his testimony.

Sentencing and Legal Consequences

Wright is scheduled for sentencing on October 8, 2025. Under Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, he faces a presumptive sentence of 144 months (12 years) in prison, though the court has discretion to extend it up to 172 months (about 14 years). He will also be required to register as a predatory offender and serve 10 years of conditional release after his prison term.

Beyond the criminal case, the victim and her family have filed a civil lawsuit against Wright and Harvest Best Academy. The suit alleges the school knew or should have known about Wright’s behavior. Court filings reveal that two other former teachers at the school previously reported Wright to police for sexual assault, though those cases did not result in charges.

MinneapoliMedia