Fromer Viroqua school employee charged with sexual assault

A former Viroqua area school employee faces formal criminal charges after a complaint filed Tuesday alleges she had sexual contact with an underage student over a two-year period. 33-year-old Ashley Ann Benson of Coon Valley, was charged with sexual assault of a student by school staff, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. According to the complaint, Benson had sexual intercourse with a victim enrolled at Cornerstone Christian Academy where Benson worked as a secretary. The victim, who is transgender, was 15 years old when the alleged relationship began and continued until after turning 18. Benson was arrested on July 1 and released on a $5,000 signature bond with no-contact orders. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and Reedsburg Police Department conducted the joint investigation.