Buffalo Grove Teacher Facing Child Pornography Charges

A Buffalo Grove middle school teacher is facing federal child pornography charges for allegedly receiving child pornography and persuading a minor to produce pornographic images of himself, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

John C. Vastis, 51, of Lakemoor, who also goes by the name Pete, was arrested Thursday by Homeland Security agents at his home, a press release says. He is a teacher at Meridian Middle School. He’s facing two counts of producing child pornography and one count of receiving child pornography.

There are no allegations that students have been sexually exploited, the release says, and school district officials are cooperating with investigators.

According to the press release:

“On Aug. 15, HSI agents and local police executed a state search warrant at the residence of a 17-year-old youth who was suspected of possessing and distributing child pornography. The youth, identified as “Minor A,” told agents that he began communicating via Skype and text messages with an adult he identified as “Pete” when he was 16-years-old in September 2013. Agents later identified “Pete” as Vastis, the charges allege. Agents then analyzed data from Minor A’s computer and cell phone and recovered more than 3,200 lines of chat messages between Minor A and “Pete.” Excerpts of those chats are detailed in the complaint affidavit.

The sexual exploitation of a minor charges allege that on Jan. 18 and March 3, 2014, Vastis persuaded, induced, and enticed Minor A to produce pornographic images of himself and send them to Vastis. He was also charged with receiving a video containing child pornography on July 13.

Each count of producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison, while receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years, and each count carries a $250,000 maximum fine.”