In Northfield, Minnesota, a disturbing case has emerged involving a former middle school teacher and a school resource officer. Katie A. Hanson, 37, of Lonsdale, faces two felony counts of sending sexual content to minors after allegedly sharing nude photos with multiple high school boys via Snapchat from early 2024. Gabriel D. Crombie, 33, of Faribault, the school’s resource officer at the time, is charged with a felony for aiding an offender and a gross misdemeanor for neglecting his police duties, accused of covering up Hanson’s actions and entering a romantic relationship with her.
According to charges filed in Rice County District Court, police were alerted in December 2024 by a student who had incriminating photos Hanson sent to boys at Northfield High School. Crombie, aware of the allegations months earlier, failed to document or act on them. Several boys reported receiving nude images from Hanson, some taken inside the school, accompanied by flirtatious messages like “Hey, handsome.” One boy, after declining Hanson’s requests for his own photos and offers of edibles, blocked her, citing the inappropriate nature of the exchanges.
Hanson admitted to investigators she sent the photos, driven by personal struggles and attention-seeking during a difficult period in her marriage. She named six recipients, mostly aged 15-17, with one possibly in his 20s. A search of her Snapchat account uncovered 12 images involving apparent minors, and she hinted at more without providing details.
Hanson claimed she stopped sending photos after starting a relationship with Crombie in April 2024, confessing “everything” to him. Crombie allegedly promised to “let the case go,” showing leniency. When later questioned, Crombie denied believing the students’ claims, stating he lacked evidence and took no further action after brief discussions with Hanson and a student.
Both resigned—Hanson from the school district in December 2024, Crombie from the Northfield Police Department, his peace officer license now inactive. Charged by summons, they are due in court on July 23, 2025. School and police officials condemned the “appalling” behavior, acknowledging the community’s shaken trust and anger. The case has deeply affected victims, families, and Northfield’s sense of safety.
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