January 26, 2024 / By mobanmarket
FAIRFIELD, CT — Following this week’s child pornography arrest of Fairfield Public Schools employee Peter Wheeler, Jr., Fairfield police have released a statement in an attempt to assuage parental concerns about the case.
“The Fairfield Police Department understands the community’s concerns regarding this arrest and how this news can be upsetting and difficult to process,” a post on the department’s website reads. “At this time, our investigation has revealed no indication of any danger or safety concerns regarding any students. Should the investigation reveal any additional information, those parents and the school district will be notified directly by our Department.”
Wheeler, a 23-year-old Fairfield resident, is a paraprofessional working at Jennings Elementary School, according to the Connecticut Post.
He reportedly was caught following an investigation in which authorities found exchanges between Wheeler and another person on Instagram. The two are alleged to have discussed viewing images of the sexual assault of children.
Fairfield police said the investigation began in November, based on a tip that did not contain the identity of the suspect.
“As a point of clarification, our Department received a tip in November which contained no identifying information,” Fairfield authorities said. “The investigative process which leads to a subject’s identity in these cyber investigations is exhaustive and takes time, however, our investigators worked tirelessly to ensure these steps were completed as quickly as possible. This process includes a variety of preservation requests to social platforms, numerous search and seizure warrants to obtain internet protocol information from providers, and search and seizure warrants to identify subscriber information before we are able to obtain a physical address of origin prior to being able to identify a suspect. Once the suspect in this case was identified, and we learned of his employment with Fairfield Public Schools, the school administration was notified.”
Wheeler’s cell phone, which police seized, reportedly contained more than 500 images and more than 50 videos of child pornography.
“Notification to the community was made as quickly as possible following the arrest to ensure the transparency we are all committed to providing in these manners,” authorities said.
Wheeler was arrested at his home on Tuesday, and was arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on Wednesday. He was released after posting bond on bail of $250,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Patch reached out to Schools Superintendent Michael Testani, and a district spokesperson, for comment on Wheeler’s current job status with Fairfield Public Schools, but did not receive a reply.
“Any additional information that can be made available to the public, will be disseminated if/when available,” authorities said. “Additionally, the Police Department is unable to comment on employment details and would direct those inquires to the Human Resources Department within the Fairfield Public Schools.”
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