Former Northeast Iowa Teacher Gets Two-Years Probation for Sexual Exploitation of Student

A former northeast Iowa teacher will be placed on probation for two years as part of a plea deal after originally being charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.

According to court documents, Decorah Police (DPD) received a report in February 2025 from an individual with concerns of a possible inappropriate relationship between a Decorah High School teacher and a student. A DPD media release noted the reporting party provided evidence that substantiated the claims. That led to officers making contact with the student and the discovery of additional corroborating evidence.

The criminal complaint against 49-year-old Dustin Bliven, then the band director at Decorah High School,  alleged that between October 2024 and February 15, 2025, Bliven engaged in a pattern of behavior with a student that involved physical touch that was inappropriate and sexual in nature.

Bliven was originally charged with sexual exploitation of a school employee, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. 

Last week (03.31), Bliven entered an Alford plea in Winneshiek County District Court to assault with intent to inflict serious injury, an aggravated misdemeanor. An Alford plea does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction at trial.

Bliven received a two-year suspended prison sentence and placed on probation for two years.