RC teacher arrested on child porn charges

By: 
STAFF REPORT

 

A music teacher in the Reed-Custer school district is facing charges for possession of child pornography.

On Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 11:30 a.m., the Reed-Custer School District’s Administration was informed by the Will County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit that Kevin Macha, 28, a teacher in the district, had been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. The arrest occurred earlier Tuesday morning as law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant of Mr. Macha’s home in Joliet, acting upon a tip reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

According to the Will County Sheriff’s Department, in June 2018, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, that an individual was sharing child pornography on his computer.

In August, the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division was notified of the cyber tip and launched an investigation. Over the course of that investigation, law enforcement determined that Macha was using a social media platform in order to share child pornography.

On Tuesday, a search warrant was executed at Macha’s Raub Street address in Joliet, and Macha was brought in for questioning. According to the sheriff’s office, during the interview, Macha made incriminating statements and was ultimately arrested and charged with child pornography/possession of child pornography photographs, a felony.

Numerous electronic devices were seized during the search warrant and are currently being examined.   Macha is being held at the Adult Detention Facility where he will appear in bond court on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

In addition to working at the Reed-Custer school district, Macha also serves as the Director of the Joliet American Legion Band.

Macha has been employed by the School District since Aug. 11, 2015, serving as a band teacher in grades 5 through 12. According to district officials, prior to his employment, Macha’s references were thoroughly vetted, and his prior work history and found nothing that would preclude his employment in a school setting.

Macha has been notified that he is suspended without pay, pending a dismissal hearing by the Board of Education, as provided for in Board Policy. Effective immediately, he is barred from being on School District property, entering any school buildings, or having any contact with students.

The Reed-Custer Board of Education and its Administration have pledged their full cooperation to law enforcement authorities in their continuing investigation into this matter.

The district currently serves 1,407 students in its three schools.

12/4/2018 4:23 p.m. This story has been updated to add aditional information from the Will County Sheriff's Office