Thomas Johnson, the 51-year-old superintendent of Union Grove Union High School in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography. The arrest followed a predawn search of a residence in the 37000 block of 52nd Street, where investigators seized several electronic devices as part of an active investigation into alleged child sexual abuse material.
The exact timing of the search has been reported differently across outlets. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, detectives executed the warrant at around 5:40 a.m., while Kenosha County Eye put the time at approximately 5:42 a.m. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the warrant was carried out around 5:45 a.m. All three outlets agree the search happened early Wednesday at the same Kenosha County address.
The investigation traces back to late October, when the Racine County Sheriff's Office referred the case to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office on Oct. 27, according to Kenosha County Eye. Investigators later submitted two counts of possession of child pornography to the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office for charging consideration, as reported by Racine County Eye. Formal charges had not been filed as of the reports.
Sheriff's Office Says Investigation Remains Active
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office confirmed the investigation is ongoing but has not disclosed what was allegedly discovered on the seized devices, per the same account from Kenosha County Eye. The office has not released additional details about the nature of the evidence or where the case stands procedurally beyond the referral to prosecutors.
Johnson had served as Union Grove's district administrator since July 1, 2023, after previously working as principal of Union Grove Elementary School, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. His tenure overseeing the district spanned a little more than three years before Wednesday's arrest.
District Cooperating, Names Interim Administrator
Union Grove Union High School said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement but cannot share further details because the matter involves an active investigation and a personnel issue, the district told Kenosha County Eye. Principal Tom Blair has stepped in as acting district administrator, a move confirmed by Racine County Eye, and will oversee district operations while the investigation continues.
As ABC7 Chicago reported, the district said student and staff safety remain its highest priority and that it is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. The district also urged anyone with information or concerns about potential misconduct involving a child to contact the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office directly, and said it would share additional information as appropriate.
ABC7 Chicago reported that Sheriff David Zoerner said in a statement that detectives will continue following the evidence and working with the district attorney’s office on the legal process. The statement added that allegations involving child exploitation require a thorough, deliberate, and impartial investigation. No further details about Johnson's legal representation or the investigation's outcome have been made public.
