A man who worked in multiple jobs that put him in contact with children in the Portland area was arrested last week on charges of buying and possessing child pornography, federal officials said.
Alexander Wiese of Portland was taken into custody Wednesday after federal agents from the Homeland Security Investigations unit served a search warrant at his home, officials said.
Investigators said they believe Wiese bought and downloaded explicit images of children between September and October, Robert Hammer, special agent in charge who oversees Homeland Security Investigations operations in the Pacific Northwest, said in a statement.
“There is no safe place on the dark web for criminals to hide from Homeland Security Investigations,” Hammer said. “HSI brings significant digital forensics expertise, broad legal authorities, and a worldwide network of investigators and professional staff to bear in combatting the global production and distribution of child pornography.”
Wiese worked at several camps, schools and other places where he would have come into contact with children, according to federal officials and Portland Public Schools.
Between September 2012 and May 2015, Wiese was a regular volunteer in a band classroom at daVinci Arts Middle School in Northeast Portland, which serves students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
In 2019, he worked as a day camp counselor and at the front desk of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. He also visited Chapman Elementary school on Oct. 28, 2019, and the Creative Science School in Southeast Portland on Dec. 4, 2019, both times as a volunteer with a science program.
Within the past few weeks, Wiese observed two virtual session of an outdoor school facilitated by teachers from Hosford Middle School.
Officials with Portland Public Schools said Wiese, like all volunteers, was subject to a criminal background check, which he passed.
“Although we know that Mr. Wiese was involved at a small number of PPS schools, no one has reported to the district that he acted inappropriately with, or harmed any PPS student,” the district said in a statement. “Prior to being permitted to volunteer in PPS schools, all volunteers are required to clear a criminal history check that includes the national sex offender registry. Mr. Wiese cleared this check.”
Officials said the district was in full cooperation with investigators and encouraged anyone with information about Wiese to contact Clint Lindsly, Department of Homeland Security special agent, at 503-910-7375.
