An Illinois elementary faculty trainer is in custody and charged with sharing youngster pornography on-line and distributing footage of college college students to pedophiles across the nation.
Todd R. Fowler, 47, a pupil at Woodland Elementary School in Gurney, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago, was ordered to be detained Friday after being accused of possessing and spreading youngster pornography in Lake County courthouse.
Fowler has been employed by Woodland since 2019, faculty officers stated he efficiently accomplished a legal historical past test.
With a inhabitants of 30,000, Gurney is greatest generally known as the house of Six Flags Amusement Park, which attracts over 200,000 guests annually.
“This is a sly crime, particularly when dedicated by somebody who’s delegated to having a optimistic affect on our youth,” Lake County Sheriff John Idlberg stated in an announcement launched by his workplace. “The habits of 1 particular person doesn’t mirror the 1000’s of hardworking and devoted lecturers and educators in our neighborhood.”
“Student security has at all times been a high precedence for the district, and Woodland is absolutely working with police within the investigation. Additionally, lecturers are positioned on administrative depart whereas passing by acceptable police and administrative channels,” stated Robert Machuk, principal of the Woodland D50 School District.
The suspect, Fowler, is predicted to return to court docket later this month. He is being held with out bail.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Idleburg used the arrest to make a remark of warning, saying, “This is to remind mother and father that it is rather vital for them to watch who their youngsters are speaking with and repeatedly remind them of the hazards of social media and the web.”