A Wisconsin nurse has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting she had sex with a patient and later falsely accused him of sexual assault in an attempt to avoid punishment, according to prosecutors in Monroe County.
The case centers on Melissa Knutson, a nurse assigned to supervise a participant in the county’s drug court program. Authorities said Knutson violated professional rules by engaging in a sexual relationship with the patient and then fabricated a criminal accusation when the relationship came to light, prompting a criminal investigation and court proceedings that ended with her conviction.
Prosecutors said Knutson was working as a nurse responsible for monitoring and assisting a man participating in Monroe County’s drug court program, a system designed to help people with substance abuse issues avoid jail through treatment and supervision. During that time, investigators said, Knutson repeatedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the patient she was assigned to oversee.
According to court records, the relationship was eventually reported to authorities and to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, the agency that oversees professional licensing for nurses and other health care workers in the state. When the allegations of an improper relationship surfaced, prosecutors said, Knutson responded by accusing the patient of sexually assaulting her.
Investigators later determined the accusation was fabricated. Knutson ultimately admitted that she had not been assaulted and had made the claim to avoid the professional and legal consequences of having sexual contact with a patient under her supervision. She later entered guilty pleas to misconduct in public office and obstructing an officer.
Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger said the case represented a serious breach of trust in the medical profession and in the criminal justice system. In a statement after the sentencing, Croninger said the nurse’s conduct harmed both the patient involved and public confidence in caregivers responsible for vulnerable people.
“The harm caused by Ms. Knutson was deep and significant,” Croninger said. “Not only did she violate the sacred trust between a patient and a nurse, but she compounded that by falsely accusing the patient of sexual assault.”
Authorities emphasized that the patient involved was enrolled in drug court at the time, a program that often requires participants to comply with strict supervision, treatment requirements and regular contact with assigned professionals. Prosecutors said that status made the situation particularly troubling because the patient relied on the nurse’s oversight as part of the rehabilitation program.
The case moved through the local court system after investigators gathered evidence about the relationship and the false accusation. Knutson eventually admitted in a letter and during her plea proceedings that she had fabricated the claim once she realized the relationship with the patient could lead to disciplinary action or criminal charges.
Juneau County Circuit Court Judge Paul Curran sentenced Knutson to 18 months in prison on Feb. 27. During the sentencing hearing, Curran sharply criticized her actions and the damage he said they caused to both the patient and the nursing profession.
The judge described the conduct as “despicable” and said it reflected poorly on the profession that relies heavily on trust between caregivers and patients. Curran also questioned the depth of Knutson’s remorse, saying he believed her expressions of regret did not fully reflect the seriousness of the harm caused.
Under the sentence, Knutson will serve 18 months in prison followed by two years of extended supervision after her release. Conditions of supervision are expected to include monitoring and compliance with court-ordered restrictions.
The case also triggered professional consequences. Allegations of misconduct involving licensed medical professionals are typically reviewed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which has the authority to investigate and discipline license holders, including suspending or revoking nursing credentials.
Cases involving sexual contact between medical professionals and patients are treated seriously because patients are considered to be in a vulnerable position and because professional boundaries are clearly defined under state regulations and ethical standards.
False allegations of sexual assault can also carry legal consequences because they can trigger criminal investigations and potentially expose innocent people to prosecution, court proceedings and reputational harm. Prosecutors said the fabricated accusation in this case required investigators to determine whether a crime had occurred before discovering the claim was untrue.
Authorities did not publicly identify the patient involved in the case, and officials said the man was not charged with any crime related to the accusation after the investigation determined the allegation was false.
The incident unfolded in Monroe County, a largely rural area in western Wisconsin where drug court programs are used to address substance abuse cases by emphasizing treatment and supervision rather than traditional incarceration.
Officials said such programs depend on close coordination between courts, treatment providers and supervising professionals, including nurses, counselors and probation staff. Those workers are expected to maintain strict professional boundaries with participants in order to protect both the integrity of the program and the safety of those involved.
The criminal case against Knutson concluded with her sentencing, though officials said the long-term professional consequences for her nursing career could continue through licensing proceedings.
Author note: Last updated March 5, 2026.