Sprague High School Teacher Madeline Gregory Arrested After Admitting to Relationship with 16-Year-Old Student

29-year-old Sprague teacher Madeline Gregory is in custody after admitting to an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:07 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Spokesman-Review and KREM 2.

Arrest on School Grounds

The Sprague community is grappling with the arrest of a local educator following a month-long investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 29-year-old Madeline Gregory (also known as Madeline Scoon) on Monday afternoon at Sprague Elementary School, located directly across from the high school where she taught. The arrest followed a probable cause determination involving a long-term inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old male student.

Details of the Alleged Relationship

According to court records, the misconduct began in September 2025 and escalated over several months. Both the student and Gregory reportedly admitted to deputies that they engaged in sexual activity in a large closet within Gregory's classroom after school hours. Additional incidents were reported in a school gym closet and in bushes adjacent to the high school tennis courts following team practices. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators corroborated the timeline, showing the pair entering the classroom well after school hours and remaining inside behind closed doors for extended periods.

Discovery Through Personal Communications

The investigation was initiated in mid-February after the student's mother discovered explicit text messages between her son and his teacher. The mother noted that her son had increasingly spent time with Gregory, becoming her teacher's aide in physical education and joining the tennis team she coached. Text logs revealed that Gregory discussed her personal marriage problems and potential divorce with the minor, while sending photos and messages declaring her love for the student.