Suburban teacher facing child porn charges accused of sharing student images

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) — A teacher from Gurnee was arrested Thursday for disseminating child pornography.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Todd Fowler was arrested following an investigation that was initiated from a tip from a social media company. The company told law enforcement that one of their users may have shared child pornography with another user.

Detectives obtained a warrant for Fowler’s Grayslake residence and discovered a device “likely used to share child pornography,” a statement from the sheriff’s office said.

Fowler is a teacher at Woodland Elementary School in Gurnee.

Detectives believe in addition to possessing and disseminating child pornography, Fowler took photos posted to social media by area students and parents and shared them with pedophiles across the country.   

“The Woodland School District has been cooperative and collaborative during the entirety of this investigation,” the statement said.

Fowler has been charged with disseminating child pornography and possessing child pornography. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said additional charges are possible.

The sheriff’s office asks that you speak to your children to see if they have communicated with Fowler or believe they may be victims of Fowler. If so, please contact the sheriff’s detectives at 847-377-4000.

Fowler is due back in court Friday.