FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) – A man who has been with Fond du Lac Fire Rescue for over 18 years has officially been charged with ten counts of child pornography.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 50-year-old Edgar Ramirez-Tellez was charged with multiple counts of child pornography charges. Ramirez at one point was a member of the Fond du Lac Fire Rescue.
On August 4, Special Agents with the Wisconsin Department of Justice went to the Fond du Lac Fire Station #3 to try to interview Ramirez regarding an online child exploitation investigation. Ramirez told authorities that he saw a couple of inappropriate videos online, according to the complaint.
Ramirez-Tellez also reportedly said that he received inappropriate content on a different online application. It was mentioned that he was in multiple chat groups where pornographic content was shared. Some of this content allegedly depicted underage girls.
The complaint says that Ramirez acknowledged to authorities that he sent messages containing explicit content. Ramirez reportedly said that he was attracted to sexual content depicting children.
“These images or videos can stay on the internet forever continuing to re-victimize these kids,” said Fond du Lac County district attorney Eric Toney.
Ramirez allegedly admitted that if agents searched his phone they would find sexually explicit content of children as young as 1-2 years old.
He reportedly told authorities that he ‘felt thankful’ that they intervened because otherwise, he may have never stopped looking for inappropriate content involving children.
Multiple images and videos were found on Ramirez’s phone, according to the complaint.
“I can’t imagine many more egregious things (than these allegations),” said Fond du Lac city manager Joe Moore. “Shock and disappointment.”
Moore shared with Local Five News that city officials learned about the investigation on Friday and put Ramirez-Tellez on paid administrative leave.
Local Five News asked Moore what his message would be to people in Fond du Lac who may have concerns after seeing these allegations against a city employee.
“I want to remind everyone that we have a very high performing public safety team,” said Moore. “Although it’s (these allegations) a shock to anybody who hears it, it’s not a reflection on the department they’re still an outstanding organization.”
Moore told Local Five News that Ramirez-Tellez got in trouble about ten years ago for doing work on a small business he was trying to start while he was supposed to be at work in his capacity as a firefighter. Otherwise, Moore said Ramirez Tellez had strong job performances in his capacity as a firefighter over the years.
Moore said he’s confident in the city’s vetting process for its employees when asked if the allegations against Ramirez-Tellez will change things moving forward.
Officials with the Fond du Lac Fire Rescue tell Local 5 that Ramirez is currently on administrative leave and has been with the department for 18 and a half years.
“Our office will continue to work with our local state and federal partners to make sure we’re holding these dangerous predators accountable,” said Toney.
Ramirez is charged with the following:
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Felony
- Up to 25 years in prison
Court records show that Ramirez made his initial appearance in court on August 8. The judge set his bond at $500,000 and he will appear back in court on Oct. 26.
City and county officials wanted to remind the public that Ramirez-Tellez is innocent until proven guilty.
No additional information was provided.
