KC teacher arrested, accused of trying to meet teen off campus during school hours
A Park Hill middle school teacher is facing federal attempted child exploitation charges after he allegedly planned to meet who he believed to be a 15-year-old girl off campus during school hours.
Richard Villigram, 43, faces one count each of attempted use of an interstate facility to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and attempted receipt of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Missouri.
The Park Hill School District website lists Villigram as an industrial technology teacher at Plaza Middle School, at 6501 Northwest 72nd St..
In an email to The Star, the district’s chief communications officer, Kelly Wachel, said the school district is working with law enforcement to learn more about Villigram’s arrest.
“We’ll be following all applicable laws and policies along the way; this includes taking prompt steps to make sure our priorities of safety and trust are intact. As we know more and can share more, we’ll do so,” Wachel said.
Villigram was arrested on Tuesday following several days of communication with an undercover law enforcement officer, who was posing as a 15-year-old, according to an affidavit in support of the charges filed against the teacher.
On April 16, Villigram allegedly sent a private message to the officer who said he was a 15-year-old girl living in Overland Park, the affidavit said. Villigram responded that he was a 43-year-old man living in North Kansas City.
The pair talked for several days, during which time Villigram sent a lewd photo and asked the undercover officer/15-year-old girl to send one back, according to the court document. They eventually made plans to meet and engage in sexual conduct.
On April 21, Villigram left Plaza Middle School during one of his planning periods, reportedly to meet the minor. He was arrested after arriving at the destination, the news release said.
In an interview with law enforcement, Villigram reportedly admitted to texting the person he thought was a 15-year-old girl, and admitted to sending the picture of himself, as well as other pornographic content, the affidavit said.
Investigators located the messages between Villigram and the undercover officer during a consensual search of Villigram’s cellphone, according to the court document.
Villigram appeared in federal court for an initial appearance Wednesday, according to federal court records. He remains in federal custody as he awaits a detention hearing scheduled for April 27, the news release said.
