Former Burlington, Kansas wrestling coach sentenced

COFFEY COUNTY – A 32-year-old former Burlington High School teacher and wrestling coach was sentenced Thursday in Coffey County District Court related to the sexual abuse of two teens.

At a sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, a judge sentenced Michael Vander Linden, of Burlington, to 36 months in prison and lifetime registration as a registered offender for three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Coffey County Attorney Wade Bowie prosecuted the case.

On Oct. 31, 2024, Michael Vander Linden pleaded no contest to the three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The remaining charges were dismissed.

On Feb. 13, 2024, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents obtained an arrest warrant and took Vander Linden into custody after two former students reported he had engaged in sexual intercourse with them between 2012 and 2013, when both were 15-years-old.

Following the hearing, Vander Linden was remanded to the custody of the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office where he will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections to fulfill his sentence.