Ex-Fairfield School Worker Sentenced In Child Sex Abuse Case: Report

FAIRFIELD, CT — Peter Wheeler Jr., the former Jennings Elementary School employee accused of sexual assault and possession of child pornography, was sentenced to eight years in prison in the case, the Connecticut Post reported.

In August, Wheeler pleaded guilty to the offenses, which reportedly included the sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl and convincing a 14-year-old boy to send Wheeler explicit images of himself.

The parents of the victims gave emotional impact statements in court during Tuesday's sentencing.

Wheeler, a Fairfield resident, was a paraprofessional at the school for more than two years, but was fired immediately following his arrest in January. Roughly a month later, he was arrested on new charges that included sexual assault.

Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton sentenced Wheeler to 25 years in prison, suspended after eight years served, followed by 35 years of probation. He also reportedly must register as a sex offender and undergo treatment as a sex offender.

Read the Connecticut Post story.