AUSTIN, Minn. – A teacher’s aide at Ellis Middle School in Austin had a first court appearance Friday after he was arrested Thursday on charges of possessing child pornography.
31-year-old Vincent Askelson allegedly told police he’d seen child porn images from the “dark web” but hadn’t uploaded or downloaded any. However, police later found pictures on his laptop and cell phone.
Court records indicate investigators received a tip that someone had used Snapchat to upload, share or save pornographic images involving children as young as four years old and traced it to Askelson.
In an email to parents, school Superintendent Joey Page said there’s no indication Austin Public Schools students were involved.
