A former Roland-Story middle school teacher has been arrested for alleged sexual exploitation of a student with the intent to commit sexual abuse.
Colden Carlson, 25, resigned from his position as a sixth-grade social studies teacher in February amid accusations of inappropriate communication with students.
The school district conducted an investigation and found he had engaged in unauthorized and inappropriate social media and other conduct.
Carlson was arrested by the Story County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, May 13. He has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee, one count of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, and one count of lascivious conduct with a minor.
The charges stem from a teenage student who said Carlson was corresponding with them from November 2025 to January. The student said Carlson had kissed them on the lips and touched their inner thigh over her clothes.
Carlson posted his $8,000 bond on Wednesday.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 22.
Ex-R-S teacher allegedly exchanged messages with student for months
From November 2025 to Jan. 27, 2026, Carlson allegedly corresponded with a student in person and via handwritten notes and the social media messaging app, Snapchat, according to a search warrant.
Carlson was allegedly “attempting to coerce” the student in the handwritten notes, “inviting (the student) on trips to Hawaii,” saying he wanted the student “his life, and that he “loves” the student.
Carlson allegedly attempted to kiss the student, according to a criminal complaint.
Roland-Story School District conducted an investigation
The Roland-Story Community School District sent a letter to families on Jan. 28, noting that it was investigating “a report of alleged inappropriate communications between a district staff member and a student.”
Law enforcement was notified, and Carlson was placed on paid administrative leave, per district protocol, the letter said.
A second letter was sent to families on Feb. 9, stating that the “personnel matter was still ongoing” and that the staff member remained on paid leave. The letter said the school was “advised by its legal counsel to refrain from public comment or action while investigations are ongoing.”
“Please know the district takes all complaints seriously and is working both internally and externally to ensure a full investigation is conducted,” the Feb. 9 letter said.
Carlson submitted his resignation on Friday, Feb. 13, a few months before charges were filed, which the school board accepted three days later.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ex-Roland-Story teacher arrested for alleged misconduct with a student
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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