Former Ridgewood Middle School teacher Tosha Kerperien has been charged with three misdemeanors for allegedly sharing inappropriate pictures of herself with students on social media.
Tosha Kerperien, 37, of Imperial was charged June 3 with three counts of furnishing or attempting to furnish pornographic material to minors, each one a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,000.
Kerperien began teaching at Ridgewood Middle, 1401 Ridgewood School Road, between Arnold and Fenton, at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, and she resigned on Feb. 1, the district reported.
Fox C-6 Superintendent Paul Fregeau sent a message to district staff and families today, June 6, that said, “Upon learning of the allegations made against this former staff member, district officials immediately began an investigation and reported the allegations to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s (Office) and the Department of Child and Family Services. The individual was immediately placed on leave. Throughout the investigation, the district has cooperated and will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials.”
Fregeau also said he can’t discuss details of the case “out of respect for the privacy of our students and all other parties involved, and in accordance with state law and
Board of Education policy.”
Between Jan. 14 and Jan. 16, Kerperien allegedly shared inappropriate pictures of herself through the Snapchat social media platform, which erases messages after they’re viewed, the probable-cause statement in the case said.
The Sheriff’s Office received reports on Jan. 18 that multiple teachers and students had seen the photos, and deputies went to Kerperien’s home that day to check on her well-being after she allegedly made suicidal statements, the report said.
Three juveniles allegedly received a photo through Snapchat of Kerperien lying naked on her stomach with her buttocks exposed, and one of the juveniles said he had received a picture of Kerperien wearing a shirt and thong-style underwear on the same Snapchat account, according to the report.
The three juveniles said Kerperien had communicated with them through the Snapchat account prior to reportedly receiving the inappropriate pictures, and they said the former teacher was the only one to contact them through that account, the probable-cause statement said.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that Kerperien was issued summonses to appear in front of Jefferson County Div. 14 Associate Circuit Judge Tim Miller on July 11, court documents show.
Kerperien was not booked or photographed, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
No lawyer is listed Kerperien in court records.