Kenosha County sheriff's deputies arrested the district administrator of Union Grove Union High School on Wednesday, Nov. 4, on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

The 51-year-old administrator was taken into custody after detectives served a search warrant at a home in the 37000 block of 52nd Street in the Village of Salem Lakes around 5:45 a.m. The arrest was detailed in a Kenosha County Sheriff's Office news release reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Investigators seized several electronic devices from the residence.

The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office had not filed formal charges as of midday Wednesday, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. Investigators referred two counts of child pornography possession to the DA's office for review.

The investigation is ongoing.

How the case reached Kenosha County

The Racine County Sheriff's Office initially led the investigation and referred it to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office on Oct. 27, according to the sheriff's office news release.

It was not clear whether the alleged material depicts any Union Grove students, FOX 6 reported.

Sheriff's statement

Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner said in a statement that "allegations involving the sexual exploitation of children demand a thorough, deliberate, and impartial investigation."

"Our detectives will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads, and we will work closely with the District Attorney's Office to ensure this matter is addressed through the appropriate legal process," Zoerner said.

School district response

Board of Education President Diane Skewes sent a letter to Union Grove families on Nov. 4 announcing the arrest. Principal Tom Blair is serving as acting district administrator, effective immediately, the letter said.

"We are deeply troubled by the serious allegations associated with this arrest and recognize the concern this news has caused throughout our school community," Skewes wrote. "The district is cooperating fully with law enforcement."

The letter encouraged anyone with information or concerns about "any other potential misconduct involving a child" to contact the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office directly.

Background

The administrator became district administrator on July 1, 2023, according to WPR. He previously served as principal of Union Grove Elementary School.

No information about legal representation was available as of midday Wednesday, WPR reported. The administrator was booked into the Kenosha County Jail.

Anyone with information related to the investigation can contact the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office.