Cassadra Poncelow, a high school counselor with the Poudre School District in Northern Colorado, has been arrested for sex abuse of a student spanning several years, according to Fort Collins police [PHOTOS]

Cassadra Poncelow, a Fort Collins, Colorado lady and former high school counselor with the Poudre School District, was arrested for having a long-term sex connection with a female juvenile student 'who she fell in love with.'

Cassadra Poncelow, 40, of Larimer County, was arrested on Tuesday, according to Fort Collins police, and now faces many criminal charges stemming from the alleged sex crimes.

Investigators got a report last month that she had an inappropriate interaction with a student while working for the Poudre School District.

Poncelow first met the alleged victim when she was in high school. The two allegedly began their romance at the school counseling office before moving to an off-campus location, according to CBS News.

According to police, she then reportedly kissed and caressed the youngster sexually several times over the next few years. According to Fort Collins Police, the victim was a child when the offenses occurred, but is now an adult.

The alleged victim told police she was later invited to another off-campus location with Poncelow, where she accused him of sexually abusing her.

She told authorities that she feared she was going to die after the alleged sexual assault.

When asked if she was encouraged to hide the alleged abuse, the victim told police she had discussed that with Poncelow. She recalled Poncelow saying, ‘if you tell anyone, I’ll kill myself,’ the arrest report said.

Cassadra Poncelow, Fort Collins high school counselor with Poudre School District in Colorado arrested for sex crimes related to student.

Police said they learned through the course of the investigation that Poncelow expressed regret for her actions, allegedly telling the victim she was ashamed for ‘falling in love’ with the girl.

Police claim Poncelow said to the victim, in part, ‘our physical and sexual relationship was not okay. Lack of boundary, not okay. The power difference, not okay. It was wrong.’

Police said Poncelow now recognized the issues of her alleged actions, courtesy of her recent sobriety.

‘Poncelow had an inappropriate relationship with a student for several years and sexually assaulted the student on multiple occasions off campus,’ Fort Collins police said in a statement.

Poncelow was booked into the Larimer County Jail on the following charges: 

• Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust – pattern of abuse with an enhancer of Crime of Violence
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Sexual Exploitation of Children
• Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Client by a Psychotherapist
• Sexual Assault
  

Following her arrest, Fort Collins police were now searching for more possible victims, FOX31 reported.

Poncelow worked for the Poudre School District from 2007 through 2024, according to police. She worked at Poudre High School for at least a portion of that time, as a 2023 announcement from the school district identified her as a counselor at the high school and said she received a summer fellowship from the National Institute for the Humanities.

According to Poncelow’s LinkedIn profile, she was a part-time school counselor and engagement specialist at Poudre High School from August 2011 through September 2024, a part-time behavioral health pathway lead for the school district from August 2023 through September 2024, and now works as a full-time ninth-grade success coach at the Center for High School Success, which listed her on its website as having the same title. That webpage has since been removed.

A spokesman for Poudre School District said the allegations against Poncelow are ‘deeply troubling’. The district has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.”

‘The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment and to responding with transparency and care,’ Austin Fleskes, public relations and media coordinator for the school district, told CBS Colorado. ‘Because this is an active investigation, and to protect the privacy of those involved, we are unable to share additional details. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Fort Collins Police Services.’

Poncelow is being held in the Larimer County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. Court records show that she has not yet retained an attorney, but don’t show when she’s due in court.