RIPON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Significant criminal charges would have been filed against a former Ripon teacher for alleged child pornography possession had he not died by suicide, police say.
Authorities first began investigating Ripon High School teacher, Richard Kelm, in October of 2021 after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Officials learned three IP addresses were attached to multiple images of suspected child pornography, identifying Kelm as a possible owner or having access to these IP addresses, police say.
On October 20 and 21, a search warrant was conducted at Kelm’s residence. During this search, police say no child pornography images were found. Kelm was not taken into custody and a further follow-up investigation and digital forensic examination was requested.
On Oct. 27, additional search warrants were served to seize electronic items, as well as social media accounts and several cloud storage and internet providers.
The next day, police received a call about a death of a male near Kelm’s residence. The male was later identified as Kelm and his death was ruled a suicide.
In early November, an analysis of Kelm’s social media account and cloud storage found about 400 images of child pornography, investigators say.
Based on the evidence, police say Kelm would have faced significant criminal charges if the case had proceeded.
In addition, police say the investigation revealed no indications or evidence of anyone else’s involvement in the downloading of sexually explicit child images as well as no evidence of any current or former Ripon Area School District staff or students involvement and none were in any of the images that were recovered.
As a result, the department is not seeking any criminal charges against any other person in this case.
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