Today, convicted serial child abuser and former Harvest Best Academy teacher and coach, Aaron Hjermstad, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years for sexually abusing an additional 12 minor students. We are grateful to the survivors who made this possible.

Hjermstad is already serving a 12-year sentence for his sexual abuse of four boys. Prior to this, Hjermstad fled Minnesota and was arrested in Idaho with several electronic items and thousands of videos of Hjermstad assaulting children. The videos were organized and labeled with the initials of the minors, according to a search warrant obtained by the FOX 9 Investigators. There were 127 sets of initials.

Hjermstad was a prolific abuser. Although the crimes for which he was convicted are a fraction of the crimes he committed, the sentence ensures he will never hurt another child. This is nothing short of momentous and is a culmination of the resilience and strength of all the survivors who courageously came forward. The survivors and their families bravely did what needed to be done and stood strong in the face of great hardship to expose his predation and sickness. While this sentence does not erase the trauma or hardships experienced, we hope all the survivors find some comfort and a sense of closure knowing Hjermstad will remain behind bars for the rest of his life. Today, because of the survivors, justice has been served.