A former elementary school teacher pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to soliciting sexual images from minors, including a 13-year-old boy, with whom he spoke on Snapchat, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois.
Jonathan C. Wilmer Jr., 25, is a former teacher at New Baden Elementary School in New Baden, Illinois. He also coached girls' sports teams in the Wesklin Community Unit School District until he was criminally charged with soliciting sexual images in August 2023.
“We know child predators lurk in our communities, but a former first-grade teacher and coach has committed inappropriate acts with minors,” U.S. Attorney Rachel Ord Crowe said in a news release Tuesday. “His admission that he requested the images is particularly concerning.” “I commend the several law enforcement agencies that contributed to this investigation and identified an extremely dangerous individual working directly with minors.”
He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
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Police discovered an explicit conversation between a 25-year-old teacher and a 13-year-old minor. (St. Petersburg)
According to court documents, investigators were pursuing an unrelated case by the Karmi Police Department regarding distribution of sexual material of minors when they discovered the account associated with Vilmer.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Snapchat account and used its IP address to trace the account to Villmer. They then learned he had been involved with another minor.
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Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Snapchat account and used the IP address to track Jonathan Billmer's account. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Authorities discovered explicit conversations with a 13-year-old boy and messages asking the teen to send him his “sexiest images.” The two also discussed sexual acts, including taking the boy's virginity.
He was arrested on August 18, 2023.
“The importance of this case and the guilty plea cannot be overstated. The child exploitation investigation is egregious, but the defendant is in a position of public trust and is one of the most vulnerable members of society. It's especially problematic when you're trying to exploit people,” Homeland said. Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago Special Agent Sean Fitzgerald. “HSI continues to work closely with our local, state, and federal partners to bring those who seek to sexually exploit children to justice.”
Homeland Security Investigations is conducting the investigation with assistance from New Baden Police Department, Karmi Police Department, and others. (Google Maps)
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HSI led the investigation with assistance from the New Baden and Calmi Police Departments, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, and the Clinton County Sheriff's Department.
New Baden is located approximately 90 miles south of Springfield, Illinois and 30 miles east of St. Louis.
