Former Christian school teacher charged with 13 felonies involving two minors

Derrick Lee Pfeffer, a former teacher and athletic director at a private Christian school in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, has been charged with 13 felony counts related to criminal sexual conduct and the possession of child sexual abuse material. The charges were filed in Washington County District Court following an investigation by the Cottage Grove Police Department. Pfeffer, 42, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, was arrested on September 24 in Rosemount, Minnesota, on a bench warrant and made his first court appearance via Zoom the following day before Judge Laura A. Pietan of the Tenth Judicial District.

According to the criminal complaint, the allegations stem from incidents occurring between early 2024 and September 2026 at various locations, including Hope Christian Academy in St. Paul Park. Two victims who contacted police had been students at the school, which is located 12 miles south of the Minnesota Capitol. The most serious charge, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, alleges that Pfeffer engaged in sexual penetration of a victim aged 14 to 15 between September 3, 2024, and December 31, 2024. This specific count carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

The complaint includes two additional charges of criminal sexual conduct involving a position of authority over a minor and an age difference of more than 36 months. Investigators allege that Pfeffer and a victim exchanged sexually explicit photos via Instagram, which were later recovered from his cell phone. A second-degree count covers alleged contact between March 1, 2024, and April 28, 2025, with a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. A fourth-degree count covers alleged contact between April 29, 2025, and May 27, 2025.

Pfeffer also faces a charge of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct for alleged actions between January 1, 2024, and May 27, 2025. In addition, he is charged with nine counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, which was retrieved from his cellphone. Each of these possession counts carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Hope Christian Academy principal Shawna Terrell stated via email that the school had “no comment at this time” regarding Pfeffer’s arrest. The case highlights the critical need for accountability and safety within institutions that serve minors, reflecting the biblical mandate to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice. As described in Micah 6:8, the pursuit of justice and humility is essential when addressing failures in governance and care.

The legal process will determine the final outcomes of these allegations, but the initial charges underscore the severity of the alleged conduct. The community and the broader church body are called to maintain a posture of mercy toward victims while demanding rigorous accountability from those in positions of trust. This situation serves as a reminder that the protection of children is a moral imperative, consistent with the call to love our neighbors and defend the rights of the powerless.

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