FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A Fond du Lac firefighter is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
Edgar Ramirez-Tellez, 50, was interviewed by authorities Friday in connection with a cyber tip they received as part of an online child exploitation investigation.
“Certainly anytime you’re talking about possession of child pornography that’s a shock. It’s disappointing. It’s inexcusable and that’s why it’s a felony,” said City Manager Joe Moore.
An 18.5-year veteran with Fond du Lac Fire Rescue, Ramirez-Tellez was put on administrative leave as soon as the city learned he was under investigation.
According to Moore, “I don’t think anybody should lose trust in the city organization because of this. I think it’s an individual’s behavior and an individual who potentially, allegedly have participated in behavior that’s felonious and that’s they way I would frame it. This is not an organizational problem, this is an individual problem.”
Ramirez-Tellez appeared via video conference, from the Fond du Lac County Jail, for his initial appearance Tuesday morning.
The 50-year old firefighter was arrested after investigators with the Wisconsin Department of Justice showed up at the fire station, where he was working, to interview him.
According to the criminal complaint, Ramirez-Tellez admitted to receiving and viewing child pornography on his cell phone. He told agents that if they searched his cell phone, they would find sexually explicit images and videos of children as young as 1-2 years old of both boys and girls, the complaint reads.
He also told investigators he had approximately 6-7 images of child pornography on a small tablet in his lunch cooler, the complaint reads.
Ramirez-Tellez told investigators when he initially discovered child pornography he was disturbed by it, but then became curious and eventually aroused. He started sharing and receiving images and videos on various platforms with anonymous users.
In his interview with investigators, the complaint says, “Ramirez felt thankful that law enforcement intervened because otherwise he may have never stopped seeking out the inappropriate content of children.”
When asked if he was concerned Ramirez-Tellez may have used city computers or city equipment during the acts he’s accused of committing, Joe Moore said, “That will be part of the investigation and there’s certainly more work to be done in that regard. We take this very seriously and we will do everything in our power to cooperate with law enforcement, State of Wisconsin, the court system to make sure justice is upheld.”
“Child pornography can remain on the internet forever, continuing to re-victimize kids creating a devastating and lasting impact on children. We will always work with our local, state and federal partners to protect children and take dangerous predators off the streets to keep kids and families safe. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty,” said Fond du Lac County District Attorney, Eric Toney.
During his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County court Tuesday, bond was set at $500,000 cash.
He’s due back in court Oct. 26.
