JANESVILLE β A sixth-grade teacher at Franklin Middle School in Janesville, who expressed to an undercover investigator an interest in sexually exploiting elementary and middle- school-aged children, has been charged in Rock County Circuit Court with sharing a nude photo of an adult female family member online without her knowledge.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Rock County Circuit Court, Adam Teal, 33 of Janesville, was arrested on Friday and charged Monday with capturing an intimate representation without consent, which is a felony.
According to the complaint, Teal allegedly sent the photo to an undercover Homeland Security special agent on an online platform called βKik.β Teal admitted the woman did not know he took the image on Sept. 10 and said she would not have consented to it being taken or shared.
The complaint further details Tealβs conversations with the undercover agent, who was posing as a father with an eight-year-old girl on βKik.β They talked about βincest and young,β how he had seen βcpβ and he shared a desire to sexually exploit two child female family members but said they were βtoo young.β
He also sent the agent a photo of a student he said was taken at the middle school, and shared with the agent his desire to have sexual activity with students.
Teal made an initial court appearance on Monday, appearing by video. He was released on a $1,000 signature bond. The court ordered him to not have electronic devices with internet access and to not have intentional contact with minors who are not his children.
If convicted, Teal faces up to three and a half years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
It was also ordered that Teal not return to any capacity as a teacher.
Janesville Superintendent Mark Holzman said in a statement that βthe School District of Janesville is aware that a sixth-grade teacher at Franklin Middle School was arrested on Friday. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement officials in their investigation. The arrest was not related to his employment.
The employee has been placed on paid administrative leave, and a long-term substitute teacher has been secured to ensure continuity of instruction for students.
Because this is both a personnel matter and there is an active police investigation, we are unable to share additional details at this time. However, please know that we take this situation very seriously. Our focus is on supporting our students, staff, and families while the legal process moves forward.β
Tealβs next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 1, in Rock County Circuit Court, at 8:30 a.m.
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