A former elementary trainer pleaded responsible in federal courtroom on Thursday to soliciting sexual pictures from minors, together with a 13-year-old who he conversed with by way of Snapchat, based on the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace Southern District of Illinois.
Jonathan C. Villmer, Jr., 25, is a former trainer at New Baden Elementary College situated in New Baden, Illinois. He was additionally a coach for women’ sports activities groups throughout the Wesclin Group Unit College District earlier than he was criminally charged with soliciting sexual pictures in August 2023.
“We all know little one predators lurk in our communities, however it’s particularly disturbing when a former first grade trainer and coach admits to asking minors for inappropriate pictures,” U.S. Lawyer Rachelle Aud Crowe mentioned in a information launch on Tuesday. “I extremely commend the a number of legislation enforcement departments who contributed to this investigation and recognized a particularly harmful particular person working instantly with minors.”
He faces a most of as much as 20 years in jail.
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Police found specific conversations between the 25-year-old trainer and the 13-year-old minor. (iStock)
Based on courtroom paperwork, investigators had been pursuing an unrelated case by the Carmi Police Division in regards to the distribution of underage sexual supplies after they discovered an account related to Villmer.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Snapchat account and used the IP tackle to trace the account to Villmer. They then realized of his involvement with one other minor.
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Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Snapchat account and used the IP tackle to trace the account of Jonathan Villmer. (Matt Cardy/Getty Photographs)
Authorities found specific conversations with the 13-year-old, in addition to messages for {the teenager} to ship him the “sexiest pictures.” The 2 additionally mentioned sexual actions, together with taking the teenager’s virginity.
He was arrested on Aug. 18, 2023.
“The significance of this case and responsible plea can’t be overstated. Investigations involving the exploitation of youngsters are horrible, however it’s significantly troubling when the accused occupies a place of public belief and seeks to use essentially the most susceptible in our society,” mentioned Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) Chicago Particular Agent in Cost Sean Fitzgerald. “HSI will proceed to work carefully with our native, state and federal companions to convey those that would sexually exploit kids to justice.”
Homeland Safety Investigations is conducting the investigation with help from the New Baden and Carmi Police Departments and others. (Google Maps)
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HSI led the investigation with help from the New Baden and Carmi Police Departments, and the Jefferson County and Clinton County Sheriffs’ Departments.
New Baden is situated roughly 90 miles south of Springfield, Illinois, and 30 miles east of St. Louis.
