Former PTA Director Arrested for Child Pornography Possession

A former director of the Texas Parent-Teacher Association was taken into custody on Thursday by federal agents, suspected of possessing child pornography, as stated in a press release from the Department of Homeland Security.

Agents from Homeland Security, collaborating with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, executed a search warrant at the residence of 42-year-old Benjamin Milfelt.

According to the release, investigators discovered over 2,000 images of child pornography on Milfelt’s cell phone.

DHS noted that Milfelt had served as a PTA board member and was part of the WATCH DOGS program, a volunteer initiative intended to involve fathers and other male role models in local schools, specifically at Mireles Elementary in Corpus Christi.

Local outlets reported that the WATCH DOGS program aims to promote male engagement in schools to provide positive role models for children.

The Corpus Christi Independent School District sent a notification to parents about Milfelt’s arrest, though it did not specify his name.

The notice mentioned, “CCPD informed Mr. Mireles of the situation regarding the former volunteer, who had not been present on school grounds since before this notification.” It added, “To uphold law enforcement’s integrity, we cannot disclose additional information.”

Law enforcement found two cell phones in Milfelt’s truck, one of which reportedly contained several explicit images featuring children aged between 10 and 14.

DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss asserted in a statement, “This individual held various positions of trust in the community, yet he was discovered with thousands of images of child pornography. Thanks to the diligent efforts of ICE law enforcement, this individual is no longer able to exploit innocent children and will be held accountable for his heinous acts.”