Teacher Accused Of Secretly Recording Students, Creating AI-Generated Explicit Images

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A teacher has been arrested and charged following an investigation that began after students at a Libertyville middle school reported concerns that a teacher was secretly recording them, authorities said.

Matthew Sheffer, 44, now faces eight felony counts of child pornography following his arrest Friday, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Libertyville police launched the investigation after students reported their concerns to school staff. Detectives later obtained Sheffer’s phone, and a forensic review by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Cyber Crimes Lab reportedly uncovered numerous images of students that had been altered using artificial intelligence to create explicit content, police said.

As the investigation expanded, detectives executed additional search warrants at Sheffer’s residence and recovered multiple electronic devices. Authorities were assisted by electronic storage detection K-9 units, including ESD K-9 Grip and ESD K-9 Enzo, to locate and seize additional digital evidence, according to a news release.

Libertyville District 70 Superintendent Rebecca Jenkins said in a letter to parents that Matthew Sheffer was a social studies teacher at Highland Middle School and had worked in the district for 18 years, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Jenkins said the investigation began after the district contacted police on June 3, the second-to-last day of school, after receiving student concerns.

Sheffer is expected to appear before a Lake County judge on Monday afternoon for a detention hearing. Prosecutors have filed the required petition to detain Sheffer with Lake County Judge Ruth Lofthouse, according to the news release.