RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU) — A band teacher in the Crandon School District has been arrested as part of an online sex sting.
Officials say Alex Valentine was arrested and accused of sending sexually explicit messages to someone who he thought was a 15-year-old girl.
Officers say they told Valentine that the “girl” he was talking to was underage on at least three occasions. He was caught on April 1st when he went to a Rhinelander business with the intention of meeting the girl for sex and instead was arrested by officers.
Crandon School officials released a statement saying they are cooperating with investigators, and there is no evidence at this time to suggest he had inappropriate contact with any students. Additionally, Valentine is banned from all school property while the investigation is active.
Officials are also encouraging all employees and instructors to encourage students to come forward if they need to talk about the issue.
Online court records indicate Valentine is being held on $10,000 cash bond and faces felony charges of attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime. His adjourned initial appearance is scheduled for April 8th.
