Christopher Chad

EVELETH- Rock Ridge High School dean of students Christopher Chad has been arrested in connection with a child exploitation investigation spanning multiple states, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
Chad, of Eveleth, was taken into custody on Tuesday at a residence on Auburn Avenue. Authorities said he was arrested on a felony warrant issued in Georgia and is being held at the St. Louis County Jail pending extradition.
The investigation began on March 5 when the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) alerted the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office to multiple CyberTip reports involving child exploitation. These reports, submitted by electronic service providers to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, were forwarded to state and local law enforcement.
Authorities determined that one of the reports involved the solicitation of a minor in Georgia, while another tip involved an individual receiving child sexual abuse material. The receipt of child sexual abuse material investigation is for a cybertip unrelated to the Fulton County case. Investigators traced the suspect in the Georgia matter to Eveleth, where they discovered he was employed at Rock Ridge High School. Chad is listed as the dean of students on the school website.
On March 6, law enforcement agencies, including the BCA and the Lake Superior Forensic Technology and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, executed multiple search warrants in Virginia and Eveleth. Investigators collected evidence, but no arrests were made at that time. Rock Ridge Superintendent Noel Schmidt issued a letter indicating that the employee was placed on administrative leave at that time.
The sheriff’s office said that there is no evidence suggesting any local victims or that any Rock Ridge High School students were involved. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with concerns or information related to the case is encouraged to contact Sgt. Eric Sathers at the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office at 218-336-4311.