A Boca Raton teacher with past ties to Milwaukee-area Catholic schools was arrested by the FBI in Florida this week on federal charges that accuse him of receiving and sharing images and videos of child sexual abuse. Patrick Conor Russell, 37, taught and coached at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton and previously worked at several schools around Milwaukee, authorities say.
According to the Miami Herald, Russell was arrested at his Deerfield Beach home on May 28 and appeared the next day in Fort Lauderdale federal court on counts of receipt and possession of child sexual-abuse material. Court records reviewed by the paper say the FBI's criminal complaint accuses him of exchanging sexually explicit videos and making sexual comments about minors in online chats.
The criminal complaint states that Russell used the encrypted messaging app Zangi and participated in group chats dedicated to sharing abusive videos, and that he wrote about specific students and sexual role-play scenarios, WPBF reports. Agents say a search of his phone recovered files they classify as child sexual-abuse material and that Russell admitted to having inappropriate conversations and requesting images, the complaint alleges.
Milwaukee Ties And Local Fallout
Before moving to Florida, Russell held teaching and coaching roles at several Milwaukee-area schools, including Marquette University High School, Catholic Memorial and St. John Vianney in Brookfield, local reporting shows. The Milwaukee station TMJ4 says groups that worked with Russell have cut ties, and that if he is convicted on the federal counts he could face up to 30 years in prison. Advocates are urging anyone with information about his time in Wisconsin to contact investigators.
School Response And Case Ahead
Saint Andrew's School told families it had terminated Russell's employment, barred him from campus and is cooperating with investigators, WPBF reports. Russell remains in Broward County custody and prosecutors filed a criminal complaint in federal court in Fort Lauderdale. The case may be presented to a grand jury as evidence is reviewed.
What To Watch And Resources
Anyone who believes they have information about Russell's time in Wisconsin should contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse tip line or local law enforcement, resources that TMJ4 and others have highlighted. This development was first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Further updates are expected as federal filings and local investigations move forward.
