McHenry teacher fired for taking pictures of a student's undergarments

A McHenry East high school teacher was fired this week for taking a photograph of a student's undergarments, the Northwest Herald is reporting.

The Northwest Herald said on its website Thomas P. Eggert, 44, of McHenry allegedly used the camera function of a cellphone to zoom in on a student's "skirt area," focusing on her undergarments, authorities said.

Eggert was fired just weeks before his November trial on charges of misdemeanor unlawful videotaping and disorderly conduct, the Northwest Herald reports.

The pictures were taken on May 6 during school hours, while other students were present, the Northwest Herald reports. School administrators were alerted by two students who witnessed the alleged act, the Northwest Herald reports.

He was placed on paid leave after his May arrest, while the school conducted its own investigation, the paper reports.