SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Huron Middle School teacher Zachary Kaderabek is on unpaid leave, accused of sending nude pictures to someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
According to court documents, it wasn’t a girl, but a teenage boy who made a fake Snapchat account and was catfishing him. Kaderabek stands accused of two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor along with two counts of solicitation of a minor; he is scheduled to be in court in January when he’ll have to respond to the charges.
In May, court documents say a 12-year-old girl told a friend the teacher had added her and sent her a message on Snapchat, which “made her feel uncomfortable.” According to court papers, that friend responded by making a catfish, or fake, account posing as a a 14-year old girl named “Kate.”
Court documents say he added Kaderabek on the social media app, and the two exchanged numerous messages. The court papers also detail that when “Kate” said she was 14, Kaderabek responded with “Oh, so only 4 more years” and a winking face. The documents say Kaderabek made sexual comments and sent photos of his genitalia.
When investigators confronted Kaderabek, court papers say “Zachary admitted to speaking to the minors on Snapchat and sending them 4 pictures of his ‘penis’ via Snapchat after the juvenile informed him that she was under the age of 14.”
As of early Tuesday evening, Kaderabek is still listed as a middle school teacher on the Huron School District’s website. However, the school board took unanimous action on Monday regarding the status of his employment.
“To change Zachary Kaderabek’s leave from, or administrative leave, from paid to unpaid,” Huron School Board President Tim Van Berkum said at the district’s school board meeting on Monday. “Is there any discussion or comments? Okay, seeing none, we will vote. Those in favor will say aye.”
“Aye,” more than one voice said in response.
“Opposed?” Van Berkum said. “Okay, motion carries.”
Huron School District Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff emailed KELOLAND News a statement Tuesday which reads as such: “The Huron School District is communicating with its attorney and is cooperating with law enforcement. All policies, procedures, and laws are being followed. The accused staff member was placed on paid administrative leave on November 18 and moved to unpaid administrative leave at a Board of Education meeting on December 9.”
