Rock Ridge High School Employee is Suspect in Child Sex Crime Investigation

The employee has not been arrested but was placed on paid leave

March 7, 2025

Matt McConico,

VIRGINIA, Minn. – A Rock Ridge High School employee is on paid leave, after the St. Louis County Sheriff and the Minnesota BCA began investigating him for child sex crimes.

In a Friday press release, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said they had conducted search warrants at multiple locations across Virginia and Eveleth on Mar. 6, including at the local Rock Ridge High School. The warrants were connected to an investigation into the alleged solicitation of a child from Georgia and receiving illicit material of children.

Law enforcement first became aware of the alleged acts through a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTip, which allows different parties such as internet providers to report activity that may indicate possible child sex crimes. CyberTips are directed to the appropriate law enforcement entities, which is how the tip found its way to the Minnesota BCA and then the St. Louis County Sheriffs.

A press release from the sheriff said they received “several” tips “involving child exploitation” late on Mar. 5. They claimed that the tips allowed them to connect the suspect’s digital footprint to the alleged crimes.

Agents with the BCA, St. Louis County Sheriffs, Lake Superior Forensic Technolgy and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and local law enforcement assisted in executing the warrants across the area on Thursday.

A representative from the Sheriff’s Office confirmed to FOX 21, that warrants were executed at the Rock Ridge High School, and the suspect was located at the school. The suspect was questioned, but no arrests were made.

Superintendent Dr. Noel Schmidt sent a message to parents following the warrants on Thursday. “The employee who is the subject of that investigation has been placed on paid administrative leave,” his statement read in part. Dr. Schmidt said the school does “not believe that any Rock Ridge students are involved.”

St. Louis County Sheriff’s press release also said they do not believe any local children or students were victims in these cases. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the sheriff.