UPDATED: Former Hope Christian Academy Teacher Derrick Lee Pfeffer Charged with 13 Felony Sex Crimes Involving Minors
Published: September 24th, 2026 | Last Updated: September 25, 2026
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN - A former teacher and athletic director at Hope Christian Academy is facing 13 felony charges after investigators allege he engaged in sexual conduct with a juvenile student while in a position of authority and later possessed sexually explicit images involving the juvenile.
Derrick Lee Pfeffer, 42, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, has been charged in Washington County District Court with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, nine counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began after an adult brought her juvenile daughter to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department on August 3, 2026, to report alleged criminal sexual conduct. The Cottage Grove Police Department ultimately investigated the matter. Court documents identify Pfeffer as a former teacher and athletic director at Hope Christian Academy in St. Paul Park, where authorities say he worked from the fall of 2022 through December 2024. The juvenile attended the school during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years.
Allegations Involving Former Student
According to the complaint, the juvenile told investigators that she became acquainted with Pfeffer and his family outside of school and was occasionally invited to their Cottage Grove home.
Investigators allege Pfeffer began making inappropriate comments toward the juvenile in early 2024, when she was 14 years old. The complaint alleges the relationship subsequently became sexual and that encounters occurred at the school and other locations while Pfeffer was an adult and held a position of authority over the juvenile.
Limitless Media is intentionally withholding graphic details of the alleged encounters and any information that could unnecessarily identify the juvenile victim.
The complaint alleges the conduct continued after Pfeffer left Hope Christian Academy in December 2024 and that the juvenile eventually ended contact with him. Investigators say the two had communicated through Instagram, including through its disappearing-message feature. Court documents allege sexually explicit photographs were exchanged during those communications and that Pfeffer allegedly retained some images involving the juvenile.
Search Warrant Leads to Phone Seizure
On September 14, 2026, Cottage Grove Police Detective Rydeen executed a search warrant for Pfeffer's cellphone, according to the complaint.
Authorities allege that after receiving a Miranda warning, Pfeffer agreed to speak with investigators. According to the complaint, Pfeffer acknowledged knowing the juvenile through Hope Christian Academy and having a close relationship with her. The complaint states that Pfeffer admitted to investigators that sexual contact occurred between him and the juvenile and that the two exchanged nude photographs using their cellphones. Specific details of the alleged sexual acts are being withheld due to the victim's age and the nature of the case.
Investigators later examined data recovered from Pfeffer's cellphone. According to the complaint, a detective reported finding numerous nude photographs of the juvenile as well as messages between Pfeffer and the juvenile. Prosecutors allege nine images recovered from the phone meet the statutory basis for nine separate felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Limitless Media is not publishing descriptions of those images.
Second Juvenile Comes Forward
The complaint also references a second juvenile who contacted investigators on September 15th, one day after investigators seized Pfeffer's cellphone. According to court documents, the second juvenile told police she had also attended Hope Christian Academy and had known Pfeffer since she was younger. She alleged that Pfeffer later engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with her after she turned 15.
The probable-cause section of the complaint describes those allegations. The 13 charges currently listed in the complaint, however, identify the first juvenile as the victim underlying the charged offenses.
Limitless Media is withholding identifying information and additional details concerning the second juvenile.
13 Felony Charges
Pfeffer is charged with:
Count 1: First-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person at least 14 but younger than 16, with the accused more than 36 months older and allegedly in a position of authority. The charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine.
Count 2: Second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person at least 14 but younger than 16 and an alleged position of authority. The charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 25 years and/or a $35,000 fine.
Count 3: Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person between 14 and 15 years old and an accused more than 36 months older or in a position of authority.
Counts 4–12: Nine felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. Each count carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
Count 13: Solicitation of a child to engage in sexual conduct, carrying a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
The complaint alleges the conduct spans from January 2024 through September 2026.
Complaint Warrant Requested
When the criminal complaint was prepared, court documents stated Pfeffer was not in custody. Because of the nature of the allegations and concerns cited for the safety of the juveniles involved, authorities requested that the court issue a complaint warrant for Pfeffer.
Filing criminal charges represents allegations. Pfeffer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Limitless Media generally does not identify juvenile victims of alleged sexual offenses and has omitted graphic details contained in the criminal complaint to protect the privacy of those involved.
A criminal complaint represents formal allegations by law enforcement and prosecutors. Pfeffer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Legal proceedings remain pending in Washington County District Court.