BY KEN GOZE
STAFF WRITER
12-08-05
A 29-year-old mathematics teacher at Wilmette Junior High School is free on bond this week following his arrest Tuesday morning and
arraignment on federal charges of possessing child pornography.
Thomas Miller, of 2905 Central St., Unit 2, Evanston, was arrested at his home Tuesday morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement agents. He was freed on bond later that afternoon after his parents posted their Buffalo Grove home as security for a $200,000
bond, and he will be required to stay there until a Dec. 16 hearing, said a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Miller, who also works as a part-time park district employee, was charged with possessing child pornography following a global investigation
that focused on an Internet billing company based in Minsk, Belarus. According to the criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday, agents said that in
March 2003, Miller purchased a membership to a Web site that provided child pornography. In reviewing two computers removed from his
home in October, agents said they found a total of 35 images of girls who appeared to be 10 to 16 years old, along with evidence he had sought
others from file-sharing networks.
If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Although Wilmette police assisted agents in recovering computers Miller used at his job, they do not believe that any of the images involve local
children, said Brian King, Wilmette deputy police chief.
School officials were working Tuesday to cope with the fallout of the arrest of a teacher who they said was highly respected by colleagues and
students. Miller has taught at the school since 1999.
Miller was placed on paid administrative leave
"We're cooperating fully with the federal investigators, giving them all our computer records and giving them the computers that were in Mr.
Miller's classroom," said District 39 Superintendent Glenn W. "Max" McGee. "We've convened the district crisis intervention team, and we have
the social workers and counselor from all the schools who will provide both immediate and also some ongoing support for students and staff."
The arrest also shocked his park district employers, coming less than 10 days after a part-time skating instructor, Christopher Delgado
Calayag, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Parks and Recreation Director Terry Porter said Miller has worked part time for the district since 1991. He has worked as a summer camp
counselor and worked his way up to an assistant director position. He also worked with a Saturday basketball program. As with Calayag,
Miller's background check found no criminal record, Porter said.
"There was no evidence of anything at all. It's just absolutely, completely shocking," Porter said.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/bg/12-08-05-768316.html
-----------
Guv'mint
Skoolin'
"DUHMAG.COM"
2005
