Whitnall High School Custodian Accused: Charges Of Child Pornography

GREENFIELD, WI — A West Allis man and employee of Whitnall High School is facing multiple charges of possession of child pornography and child sexual exploitation, according to online court records.

The employee has been a member of the school's custodial staff since February 2021, the Whitnall School District told parents in a letter sent Friday. The custodian worked second shift, meaning they were not present during school hours, and authorities believe no Whitnall students were involved in the accusations, the district's letter said.

Jerome A. Slack, 39, was charged Monday in Milwaukee County Court with nine counts of child sexual exploitation and nine counts of possession of child pornography, online court records show.

If convicted, Slack could face 40 years in prison.

West Allis police arrested Slack after investigating a cyber tip that came in from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a criminal complaint. The social media apps Snapchat and Kik also became aware of content that contained child pornography uploaded to accounts associated with Slack, the complaint said.

A detective found multiple videos containing child pornography on Slack's cell phone and records of him sending child pornography through Kik, the criminal complaint said.

"Of course, no one at Whitnall was aware of this conduct until the charges were made," the district told parents.

The district's letter said the employee had a clean background check and positive references upon hiring.

"We’re sure you are as unsettled by this news as we are, so we thank you for your understanding," the district said. "When we are informed of any updates to the situation, we will share."

Slack is expected back in court on May 19.