District 70 board expected to fire middle school teacher facing child pornography charges

Libertyville Elementary District 70’s school board is expected to vote Tuesday to fire a middle school social studies teacher charged with using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of current and former students.

Superintendent Rebecca Jenkins wrote in a letter to parents Friday that she is recommending the board fire 44-year-old Marshall Sheffer, an 18-year veteran of the district, who is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of creating child pornography involving victims under the age of 13.

The board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the district’s Educational Resource Center at 1381 Lake Street in Libertyville. The meeting will be also livestreamed on the district’s website, d70schools.org.

Sheffer is accused of using photographs he took of current and former students on school property and using artificial intelligence programs to alter the images, according to court documents.

“Law enforcement has also advised that additional victims may be identified as the investigation continues,” Jenkins wrote.

Sheffer taught at Highland Middle School in Libertyville and became the target of an investigation by authorities earlier this year when students reported he was video recording them to other teachers.

Investigators said they found the altered images on Sheffer’s phone after serving him with a search warrant. Other electronic devices were also seized. He was arrested July 3.

Libertyville police are urging anyone who has additional information about the case to contact investigators at (847) 362-8310.