Tennessee teacher pleads guilty to filming students in locker room

Christopher Schroll, a 33-year-old former 8th-grade science teacher and soccer coach at Cleveland Middle School, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted aggravated unlawful photography of a minor. His arrest in March 2022 followed complaints from students who discovered a hidden camera in the girls' locker room. Investigators found that Schroll had recorded approximately 30 female students, including some while they were changing, over a two-day period. Schroll claimed he installed the camera due to alleged complaints about bullying, but school administrators stated they had never received such reports. He admitted to reviewing the footage at home, raising serious concerns about his intentions. The police uncovered a deleted video that showed inappropriate footage of a student, further complicating his defense. During the sentencing hearing, several parents of the victims testified about the emotional impact of Schroll's actions on their daughters, expressing feelings of betrayal and fear. One parent recounted how her child questioned the trust she had placed in Schroll, highlighting the long-lasting effects of his misconduct on the victims' lives. Despite a defense argument for treatment instead of incarceration, the community remains unsettled by Schroll's presence, as he was reportedly seen near girls' soccer practices after his arrest. Schroll's actions have not only led to his conviction but also necessitated his registration as a sex offender, marking a significant breach of trust in the educational environment.