Dubuque Police Investigate Sexual Exploitation Case

CONTACT:
Joe Messerich, Assistant Chief
(563) 589-4411, jmesseri@cityofdubuque.org

06/12/2025 -- For Immediate Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa –

On 04/02/2025, the Dubuque Police Department received a notification from the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that a new case had been received. Information was obtained from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that suspected Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) had been identified and associated with a suspect.

Through the course of the investigation, investigators were able to determine that the suspect was a Dubuque County resident who worked at Hempstead High School. The Dubuque Community School District was notified, and the suspect was placed on leave. This investigation is ongoing. The CSAM identified in this case includes, but is not limited to, computer-generated images of students. Investigators are actively reaching out to students involved and their families as part of the investigation and will continue to do so as more victims are identified. To ensure the integrity of the investigation, no further details will be released at this time. Additional information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

The Dubuque Police Department has been an active member of the Iowa ICAC Task Force since 2010. The Iowa ICAC Task Force is administered through the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation to help state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases. More information on the Iowa ICAC Task Force can be found here: https://iowaicac.com/about-us/ 

If you have any information on this incident, please contact Lt. Ted McClimon at (563) 548-4439. You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police 

As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and any suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.

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Please do not reply to this message. If you would like additional information on this issue, please contact the staff person identified at the top of the message or contact the Dubuque Police Department at 563.589.4410.