A former Rockwood School District teacher has been charged with three felonies for allegedly recording and sharing a video of pornographic video involving a minor, according to court documents.
Joseph Gutowski, 40, of St. Louis has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography, both class B felonies punishable by to five to 15 years in prison, along with second-degree promoting child pornography, a class D felony that carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, court records show.
Gutowski was being held today, Dec. 21, on a $250,000 cash-only bond at the St. Louis County Jail in Clayton, according to St. Louis County Police.
Gutowski, who was teaching at Lafayette High School in Wildwood when the alleged incident occurred, was fired by Rockwood officials on Dec. 15. Board of Education members voted unanimously voted that night in a closed session to terminate his contract, the district reported.
Before that vote, the board unanimously voted to reject Gutowski’s resignation, Rockwood officials reported.
District spokeswoman Mary LaPak said Gutowski taught at Rockwood from August 2006 through December 2022.
“On Dec. 20, 2022, we learned from the St. Louis County Police that they have charged a former Lafayette High School teacher with multiple charges related to child pornography and sexual misconduct,” the district said in a written statement today. “At this time, there is no indication that the allegations are related to any current Rockwood students.
“All Rockwood School District employees must submit to and pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment. We hold educators and all district employees to the highest standards of conduct, and we are keenly aware of the trust that is placed in us with regard to the safety of our students. We are committed to cooperating with the authorities in their investigation, and we will continue to strive every day to protect the welfare of our students and provide the safest possible learning environment for all Rockwood students.”
According to the probable-cause statement in the case, between 2017 and 2020, Gutowski allegedly used a video recording device to take a sexually explicit video of a teenager younger than 17, and Gutowski allegedly admitted that he electronically transferred that video to other people, the report said.
St. Louis County detectives said there is no evidence that any current students are victims of Gutowski.
St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating the case.