First Paideia, now Pace. Staff member arrested for child porn.

Parents at two of Atlanta’s most prestigious private schools are reeling from the child pornography arrests of school staff.

A few days ago, the AJC reported that a Paideia school janitor was arrested on child porn charges. In a letter, the Paideia headmaster informed parents that the janitor allegedly told federal investigators he placed hidden cameras in the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms at the private Druid Hills academy.

Headmaster Paul Bianchi wrote that Josh Ensley, a janitor for Paideia for 17 years, was arrested after he received illegal materials through the mail. Agents charged him with possession of child porn after a search of his home computer.

A search of the bathrooms at Paideia, which instructs students ages 3 through 18, turned up no recording devices, according to Bianchi.

Now, it is the Pace Academy headmaster sending a shocking letter home this evening to parents at the Buckhead school announcing the arrest of veteran fine arts teacher William Villemez for “possession of child pornographic images, which were purchased from his home computer. These images came to light as a result of a multi-year federal investigation, which we learned about today.”

In 2010, federal agents began investigating a Canadian company that offered child porn videos for sale via the U.S. Postal Service and the Internet. In May 2011, authorities executed a search warrant at the business and seized computer records and printed records. Villemez’s name and address — and the DVDs he had ordered — were on the customer lists, according to the affidavit.

Pace headmaster Fred Assaf said Villemez “is no longer employed by Pace Academy. We are cooperating with federal agents as they continue their investigation”

Assaf stressed that, according to federal investigators, the fine arts teacher “has not involved any current or former Pace students in this situation, and there is no evidence of inappropriate physical contact between the teacher and Pace students or other children.” Villemez has no record of previous criminal activity, said Assaf, in his letter to parents.

According to the letter:

Our faculty was made aware of the situation immediately after school today, and we will meet with students in the Middle and Upper Schools tomorrow morning. The emotional well-being of our students is our primary concern at this time. This news is incredibly shocking and upsetting to all of us in the Pace community, and we know that healing will take time.

We also know that this will be difficult to explain to students, but I believe that it is best to be clear and honest with them. I would advise every parent to use his or her discretion in discussing these matters with their children; however, as much as we might want to shield them from the situation, this may serve as an opportunity to discuss the pervasive issue of pornography in our culture. I also encourage you to bring any concerns to my attention immediately.

We are working with our faculty, counselors and outside experts to ensure that we are prepared to handle any questions or issues that arise as a result of this situation. Please know that our counselors and administrators are available for students and parents with questions or concerns.

We will continue to share pertinent information as it becomes available and welcome questions during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Fred Assaf, Head of School

Let me stress that both men stand accused, not convicted. Please keep that in mind when commenting.

The AJC now has a story online about a 17-year-old football player at the Westminster Schools sexually assaulting a teammate in the gym showers at the prestigious institution.

Earlier today, the school sent an email to parents, school trustees and staff alerting them what police are investigating as a sexual assault.

“I write to you in order to express deep concern regarding an incident that took place last week involving a few students on the varsity football team,” school president William Clarkson wrote. “I can assure you that we have taken all steps within the school’s strict guidelines and protocols regarding such matters, including the fulfillment of our responsibility to report this particular incident to the Atlanta police. They are now in charge of the investigation, and we are cooperating fully with them.”

–from Maureen Downey, for AJC Get Schooled blog