Crime & Safety
Wredling Teacher Arrested on Child Porn Charges
Jerry McCauley is on administrative leave pending an investigation after his arrest by Sycamore police, school district officials say.
A Wredling Middle School teacher has been placed on administrative leave and barred from school district property after Sycamore police arrested him at his home early Monday on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.
St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 announced late Monday afternoon that it had placed Jerome B. McCauley on administrative leave pending further investigation, and that he cannot access school district property.
The Kane County Chronicle reported that McCauley, 45, is being held in the DeKalb County Jail after Sycamore police arrived at 6 a.m. Monday to execute a search warrant at his home on the 300 block of Grant Street, Sycamore. Police found digital images and videos of child pornography, Sycamore police Lt. Darrell Johnson said.
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the Chronicle, possession of child pornography is punishable by as much as seven years in prison; distribution of child pornography is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
A volleyball coach and seventh-grade teacher, McCauley came under suspicion in August, the Chronicle reported, when a Sycamore detective working on Internet crimes discovered the teacher possessed child pornography. Further investigation revealed the material also was being distributed by McCauley, police told the Chronicle.
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Chronicle said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are possible.
“If you have further information or concerns that would be helpful in this investigation, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the District 303 Superintendent’s Office at Donald.schlomann@d303.org or 331-228-2000.”
The school district’s release states that District 303, with help from parents, does all it can to ensure the safety and security of students. “As is always the case, the Wredling Student Support team is prepared to assist any students who might need help in dealing with their feelings about this, or any other situation of their concern,” the release states.
More details about the arrest can be found in the Kane County Chronicle story.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
