Former Deerfield High Custodian Arrested For Disseminating Child Porn: District

DEERFIELD, IL — A former custodian at Deerfield High School has been arrested for disseminating child pornography, including photos and videos of toddlers, among other charges. Township High School District 113 officials said Monday they had become aware of the charges from a media outlet story and have not been contacted by law enforcement regarding the arrest.

As first reported by Lake and McHenry County Scanner Monday, Ricardo O. Russell, 26, of Waukegan, has been charged with 13 counts of felony dissemination of child pornography, as well as 12 counts of felony obscene depiction of a purported child.

Dr. Chala Holland, District 113 superintendent, responded to the charges in a letter to the district community. Holland said Russell was hired to work at Deerfield High in December 2023, was put on administrative leave in June 2024 for performance issues and excessive tardiness, and was dismissed by the Board of Education a month later. Holland said Russell had worked the third shift, which runs from 10:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m.

Holland said the district is unaware of any allegations of criminal activity against Russell during the time he worked as a custodian.

"This is a very concerning situation," Holland said. "Thank you for your continued support of student and staff safety. Students who wish to talk to someone or who may be in need of support should contact their school counselor."

According to Lake and McHenry County Scanner, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office had received a cyber tip regarding a Kik account that had been used to upload several child pornography files. The Waukegan Police Department took over the investigation. Group chat messages used through the app included videos depicting the sexual assault of children, including toddlers, as well as other violence based videos.

District 113 is asking anyone with additional information to contact Lane Linder, director of security (llinder@dist113.org). Concerns can also be anonymously sent through the D113 Tip Line by phone or text at 844-224-1521, or through the web portal.