Music Teacher In Braidwood Arrested For Possession of Child Pornography
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Kevin Macha, a music teacher at Reed-Custer School in Braidwood, was arrested Tuesday on one count of Possession of Child Pornography, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office.
This arrest comes a week after CBS2 exposed a freshman football player's alleged hazing at a football camp run by Reed-Custer Community Unit School District 255. A lawsuit filed by the former student's family accuses Reed-Custer High School employees of allowing the hazing culture to exist and says the school failed to protect the student from retaliation that followed alleged sexual assaults.
Macha, 28, a was arrested in Joliet after a search warrant led police to numerous electronic devices and an interview, where officials say he made incriminating statements. The search ultimately revealed Macha was using a social media platform to share child pornography.
Officials say The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported, back in June, that an individual was sharing child pornography from a computer linked to Macha. The Sheriff's Office Investigations Division was notified in August.
Macha is currently being held in a detention facility and is set to appear in bond court Wednesday.
The music teacher has been employed at the local school for four years and works with fifth-grade through high school students. He also serves as the director of the Joliet American Legion Band.
According to Superintendent Mark Mitchell, Macha has been suspended without pay, pending a decision from the school board. Mitchell also stated Macha has been barred from school district property or having any contact with students.