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Neutral Milk Hotel's Julian Koster granted protection order against accuser
Koster filed for the order after a fan accused him of grooming her when she was a teenager.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Neutral Milk Hotel bassist Julian Koster was granted a two-year protection from abuse order against Anna 'Nesey' Gallons, 41, in Bangor District Court on Thursday. Koster filed for the order less than a year after Gallons publicly accused him in 2024 of grooming her when she was a teenager. The ruling marked the end of a nearly year-long legal battle across 11 different protection cases in Penobscot County.
Why it matters
This case highlights the complexities around allegations of grooming and the legal battles that can ensue, especially when involving public figures. It raises questions about consent, power dynamics, and the challenges of addressing such claims in the court system.
The details
Koster, 53, filed for the protection order in March 2025 because Gallons and her partner live in Penobscot County. The judge found Gallons to be a 'credible threat' to Koster's physical safety and prohibited her from possessing weapons. Gallons had accused Koster of grooming her starting in 2000 when she was 15, which escalated into a sexual relationship in 2001 when she was 16. Koster denied the grooming allegations but acknowledged the consensual relationship when Gallons was of the legal age of consent in Georgia. Koster detailed the abuse he experienced from Gallons and her partner, including emotional, verbal, financial, and physical abuse, as well as pressure to join a polyamorous relationship.
- Koster filed for the protection order in March 2025.
- Gallons publicly accused Koster of grooming her in July 2024.
- Koster and Gallons had a sexual relationship in 2001 when she was 16 years old.
The players
Julian Koster
A bassist for the indie rock band Neutral Milk Hotel.
Anna 'Nesey' Gallons
A 41-year-old Penobscot County resident who accused Koster of grooming her when she was a teenager.
Bangor District Judge Harris Mattson
The judge who granted Koster's two-year protection from abuse order against Gallons.
What they’re saying
“My friendship with Anna has been tumultuous, and I suffered years of emotional, verbal, financial, and more recently, physical abuse.”
— Julian Koster (Bangor Daily News)
“The 'story' they share about me has grown from the idea that I am a 'groomer' to a sprawling, disgusting, and entirely false tale that speaks to [the Gallons] depraved minds.”
— Julian Koster (Bangor Daily News)
What’s next
The protection order is in effect until February 2028, during which time Gallons is prohibited from having any contact with Koster.
The takeaway
This case highlights the complexities around allegations of grooming and the challenges of addressing such claims in the court system, particularly when involving public figures. It raises important questions about consent, power dynamics, and the need for greater understanding and support for those impacted by these types of allegations.
