St. Mary’s High School Theology teacher and cross country coach, Neil Kirchoefer, has been charged with Possession of Pornographic work involving minors. St. Mary’s did place Kirchoefer on leave last fall after discovering the material, after which time he resigned his position. He has been a member of the staff since 2016.
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Sleepy Eye Police Press Release
2-8-19 Press Release
On 11-28-18 the Sleepy Eye Police Department was contacted by St. Mary’s School Administration. Administration was informed by a teacher that possible child pornography was viewed on one of the school’s laptop computers. Administration brought the laptop computer with them and turned it over to the Sleepy Eye Police Department for investigative purposes. The laptop computer was given to teacher Neil Kirchoefer by St. Mary’s School for school use.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department conducted an investigation that included interviews with the teacher that saw the suspected pornographic image and Neil Kirchoefer on 11-28-18. On 11-28-18 a search warrant was completed on Neil Kirchoefer’s residence in Sleepy Eye that resulted in the seizure of a cell phone and an additional laptop computer. St Mary’s school voluntarily turned over 2 additional electronic devices that Neil Kirchoefer used while working.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department was assisted by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in the analysis of the electronic devices. The Brown County Sheriff’s Investigator transported all the electronic devices to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to be analyzed by an Internet Crimes against Children expert.
On the evening of 2-7-19 the Sleepy Eye Police Department received the computer analysis from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office through the Brown County Sheriff’s Investigator. Based on the information in the report and in consultation with the Brown County Sheriff’s Investigator and the Brown County Attorney’s Office Neil Kirchoefer was arrested and placed in the Brown County Jail the morning of 2-8-19 and charged with Possession of Pornographic Work Involving Minors, MN statute 617.247, and Use of Minors in Sexual Performance Prohibited, MN statute 617.246.
St Mary’s School has provided quality assistance and information that helped bring this case to light and assist in charges being brought against Neil Kirchoefer. St. Mary’s School Administration has kept in communication with the Sleepy Eye Police Department throughout this investigation.
At this time there is no information that any juveniles from Brown County were victimized by Neil Kirchoefer. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Sleepy Eye Police Department.
St. Mary’s School Press Release