SPRING LAKE PARK, Minn. – (March 26, 2015) – A Chaska man was charged this week with multiple counts of inappropriate contact and inappropriate photography of students at schools where he worked.
David Wayne Harell is a teacher in the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. He worked in school buildings in both the St. Francis and Spring Lake Park school districts.
The charges were brought against him after the conclusion of a criminal investigation that began last May. According to the criminal complaint, a staff member at one of the schools saw him with two young girls sitting on his lap when they should have been at recess. He was then placed on administrative leave.
An investigation was issued and a forensic examination of Harell’s work computer revealed thousands of images of children in various positions that focused on their private body parts. In some photos, the children were posed in ways that showed their genitals and in others; the camera was positioned to take pictures up their skirts.
All photography occurred in the classrooms where Harrell worked with the students. He is facing one count of criminal sexual conduct, five counts of interfering with privacy, and one count of possession of pornographic work involving minors.
