Past Whitnall Custodian Enters Guilty Plea On Child Porn Charges

GREENFIELD, WI — A former Whitnall High School custodian on Monday pleaded guilty to charges of child sexual exploitation and child pornography, according to online court records.

Jerome Slack, 39, was charged in Milwaukee County in May. Slack pleaded guilty to four charges of child sexual exploitation and one charge of possession of child pornography this week, online court records said. He is expected back in court on Jan. 13 for a sentencing hearing.

Amid the charges, the district in May time told parents they believed no Whitnall students were involved. School officials also notified parents amid the arrest that the custodian had worked the second shift so he wasn't present during school hours. The custodian had been hired in February of 2021, the district said.

Whitnall High School's online staff directory does not list Slack.

West Allis police arrested Slack after a cyber tip came in from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a criminal complaint. Reports also came in from social media apps Snapchat and Kik regarding possible child pornography uploaded to accounts associated with Slack, according to the complaint.

A cash bond was posted on June 24 in the case, however, Slack was in custody as of Monday amid his guilty plea, according to Milwaukee County Sheriff and court records.

Each charge of child sexual exploitation, a Class C felony, could carry up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.