Ex-Hope Christian Academy teacher charged in serial sex abuse case
Derrick Lee Pfeffer, 42, a former teacher and athletic director at Hope Christian Academy in St. Paul Park, was arrested Sept. 24 and charged with multiple sex crimes against minors.[1]
Washington County prosecutors filed counts that include first-, second- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, nine counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and one count of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct.[1] Police say the alleged abuse involved repeated sexual assaults and exploitation of at least two female students beginning when each was a minor between about January 2024 and August 2026.[1]
Officials say the assaults happened at the school, at Pfeffer's Cottage Grove home and at other locations.[1] Investigators also allege they found explicit photos of a minor on Pfeffer's phone despite his use of disappearing Instagram messages, and that the complaint says he admitted to sexual contact and nude-photo exchanges.[1]
Pfeffer was booked Sept. 24; bail was set at $100,000 with conditions or $200,000 without, and his next court date is Nov. 4 in Washington County.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Defendant: Derrick Lee Pfeffer, 42, former teacher and athletic director at Hope Christian Academy in St. Paul Park
- Charges: 1 count first-degree CSC, 1 count second-degree CSC, 1 count fourth-degree CSC, 9 counts possession of child sexual abuse material, 1 count soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct
- Alleged conduct: Repeated sexual assaults and exploitation of at least two female students starting when each was a minor, from roughly January 2024 through at least August 2026, at the school, his Cottage Grove home and other locations
- Digital evidence: Police say they found explicit photos of a minor victim on Pfeffer’s phone despite his use of disappearing Instagram messages, and the complaint says he admitted to sexual contact and nude-photo exchanges
- Status: Arrested Sept. 24, 2026; bail set at $100,000 with conditions/$200,000 without; next court date scheduled for Nov. 4 in Washington County
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