close Fox News Flash top headlines for January 17 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for January 17

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Read this article for free! Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

A former elementary teacher pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to soliciting sexual images from minors, including a 13-year-old who he conversed with via Snapchat, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Illinois.

Jonathan C. Villmer, Jr., 25, is a former teacher at New Baden Elementary School located in New Baden, Illinois. He was also a coach for girls’ sports teams within the Wesclin Community Unit School District before he was criminally charged with soliciting sexual images in August 2023.

“We know child predators lurk in our communities, but it’s especially disturbing when a former first grade teacher and coach admits to asking minors for inappropriate images,” U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe said in a news release on Tuesday. “I highly commend the several law enforcement departments who contributed to this investigation and identified an extremely dangerous individual working directly with minors.”

He faces a maximum of up to 20 years in prison.

HOW SCAMMERS ARE USING YOUR SNAPCHAT AND TIKTOK POSTS IN THEIR AI SCHEMES

Girl texting on smartphone at home

Police discovered explicit conversations between the 25-year-old teacher and the 13-year-old minor. (iStock)

According to court documents, investigators were pursuing an unrelated case by the Carmi Police Department concerning the distribution of underage sexual materials when they found an account connected to Villmer.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Snapchat account and used the IP address to track the account to Villmer. They then learned of his involvement with another minor.

SNAPCHAT AI CHATBOT ALLEGEDLY GAVE ADVICE TO 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON RELATIONSHIP WITH 31-YEAR-OLD MAN, HAVING SEX

A phone, several apps

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Snapchat account and used the IP address to track the account of Jonathan Villmer. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Authorities discovered explicit conversations with the 13-year-old, as well as messages for the teenager to send him the “sexiest images.” The two also discussed sexual actions, including taking the teen’s virginity.

He was arrested on Aug. 18, 2023.

“The importance of this case and guilty plea cannot be overstated. Investigations involving the exploitation of children are horrible, but it is particularly troubling when the accused occupies a position of public trust and seeks to exploit the most vulnerable in our society,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald. “HSI will continue to work closely with our local, state and federal partners to bring those who would sexually exploit children to justice.”

A photo of the school

Homeland Security Investigations is conducting the investigation with support from the New Baden and Carmi Police Departments and others. (Google Maps)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

HSI led the investigation with support from the New Baden and Carmi Police Departments, and the Jefferson County and Clinton County Sheriffs’ Departments.

New Baden is located approximately 90 miles south of Springfield, Illinois, and 30 miles east of St. Louis.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *