The superintendent of the White Pass School District in East Lewis County has been arrested in connection with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, according to the Longview Police Department.
Police reportedly arrested Greggery Ray Teel, 52, of Kelso, at about 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, following what the department described as an “extensive investigation.”
Teel was scheduled to make a preliminary appearance in Cowlitz County Superior Court at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14. According to the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, charges had not officially been filed as of Wednesday morning.
Teel was also listed as a respondent in a civil protection order case filed on Jan. 13, according to court records.
The Longview Police Department said there was “no evidence” indicating any students within the White Pass School District were involved in the investigation.
According to the department's news release, detectives began investigating Teel after “receiving multiple referrals” from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“The reports originated from an electronic service provider and identified several online accounts suspected of uploading and sharing illegal images involving minors,” the release states. “Throughout the investigation, Longview Police detectives worked in coordination with NCMEC and multiple electronic service providers. Through court-authorized search warrants, investigators obtained subscriber records, account information, and internet usage data that linked the reported online activity to a residential address in Kelso, Washington, the residence of Greggery Teel.”
Investigators reportedly identified multiple online accounts, email addresses and internet connections used to upload and distribute the alleged material, according to police.
“Records from internet, email and mobile phone providers consistently returned to the same individual, address and verified telephone number,” the release states.
Investigators received additional CyberTip reports during the investigation that corroborated their findings, according to the police department.
NCMEC operates the CyberTipline as a place to report child sexual abuse or exploitation. Individuals can complete a report online or by phone.
According to the NCMEC, the majority of submitted reports pertain to images or videos of child sex abuse or sexual conversations between adults and children.
The Longview Police Department indicated that Teel was taken into custody “without incident” Tuesday morning. Detectives executed a search warrant at his residence.
That afternoon, White Pass School District No. 303 released a statement signed by Joel McMahan, the district’s school board president.
“Please understand that the district became aware of Mr. Teel's arrest solely by the media release from the Longview Police Department on social media,” McMahan wrote. “No law enforcement entity has approached us with any updates or information.”
McMahan reiterated that current evidence did not include the involvement of any district students.
“Be informed that due to the severity of the allegations surrounding the arrest, we have placed Mr. Teel on administrative leave effective immediately,” McMahan wrote. “He has been removed from access to the building and does not have access to any of your/our children.”
Police stated that the investigation was ongoing, and encouraged anyone with additional information to call Detective Adam Surface at 360-442-5800.
To report sexual abuse of children, visit www.cybertipline.org.
