Former St. Paul Park School Teacher and Athletic Director Charged with Sexually Assaulting Teenage Students

Derrick Lee Pfeffer, a former teacher and athletic director at Hope Christian Academy, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual misconduct involving teenage students. The charges include first-degree and second-degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, possession of child sexual abuse material, and soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct. These allegations emerged after two teenage students came forward with accounts of inappropriate relationships with Pfeffer, who worked at the school from fall 2022 to December 2024.

According to the criminal complaint, a 17-year-old victim and her mother first reported the conduct to police in August 2026. The victim, who was a student at Hope Christian Academy during Pfeffer’s employment, stated that she worked as a babysitter for him. The relationship allegedly began with a sexual comment made by Pfeffer in January 2024 while he was driving her. The conduct reportedly escalated to sexual contact, some of which occurred at the school. The victim, who was 15 in the fall of 2024, claims Pfeffer coerced her into performing sexual acts. The two also exchanged nude messages on Instagram using the app’s “vanish mode.”

During a search of Pfeffer’s phone, law enforcement discovered multiple nude photos of the victim and explicit messages between the two. In an interview, Pfeffer admitted to having a sexual relationship with the victim and exchanging explicit messages with her. He stated that he “was feeling vulnerable and enjoyed having someone pursue him” at the time, according to the complaint.

A second victim came forward in September 2026, reporting an inappropriate relationship with Pfeffer. She stated that she first met him as a 7th grader at Hope Christian Academy and that he would invite her to events at his home. The victim said she began having sexual contact with him in August 2026 when she was 15. Hope Christian Academy, an independent, non-denominational K-12 school, describes itself as providing “Christ-centered education” on its website.

The case highlights the need for vigilance in safeguarding minors and maintaining accountability within educational and community settings. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. This situation underscores the importance of creating environments where children are protected and where leaders are held to the highest standards of conduct.

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