Hennepin County (trfnews.i234.me) — Preston Casey Palmer, a 34-year-old substitute teacher in Minneapolis, has been arrested and charged with 14 felony counts related to child pornography and solicitation following a sting operation conducted by a vigilante group known as “Predator Poachers.”
On May 14, 2025, Palmer was apprehended at Brackett Field Park, located near the school where he was employed. The arrest followed a months-long undercover operation in which members of the group posed as a 13-year-old boy and his father online. Palmer engaged in explicit conversations with the decoy accounts, expressing interest in minors and sharing illicit content. He allegedly bragged about possessing over 87 gigabytes of child sexual abuse material on his devices.
During the arrest, a child at the park reportedly recognized Palmer, exclaiming, “That’s my teacher.” Authorities recovered a flash drive and a cellphone from Palmer, which contained thousands of files depicting child sexual abuse, some involving victims as young as five years old.
Palmer was employed by Minneapolis Public Schools since November 2024 and had assignments at several schools, including Sullivan STEAM School. Following his arrest, the district confirmed that he is no longer employed. In a statement, Minneapolis Public Schools emphasized its commitment to student safety and encouraged the community to report any concerns through their HelpMe App or website.
Palmer is currently held at the Hennepin County Jail on a $250,000 bail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, May 19. The investigation is ongoing, with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force involved in the case.
Did you know?
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Possession and distribution of child pornography are severe offenses in Minnesota, carrying significant prison sentences and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
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Vigilante groups like “Predator Poachers” have been active in exposing individuals attempting to exploit minors, often collaborating with law enforcement to apprehend suspects.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.