Patrick Russell, a former teacher and football coach at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, is facing federal charges after the FBI accused him of possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and engaging in sexually explicit online conversations involving minors.
Patrick Conor Russell, 37, was arrested on May 27, 2026, following a search of his Deerfield Beach home. According to a federal criminal complaint, investigators allege Russell exchanged CSAM online and made inappropriate sexual comments about minors, including students at St. Andrew’s School, where he worked as a teacher and coach. St. Andrew’s School has confirmed that Russell’s employment has been terminated. According to media reports, Russell was arrested following a search of his Deerfield Beach home and is being held pending further proceedings in federal court.
Allegations Against Patrick Russell
According to media reports, federal authorities began the investigation after FBI agents executed a search warrant in an unrelated child sexual abuse material investigation in Ohio and discovered online communications between Russell and another individual. According to investigators, Russell allegedly sent photographs of apparent St. Andrew’s students during online conversations and made sexually explicit comments about them.
Authorities allege that:
- Russell exchanged links containing child sexual abuse material through online messaging platforms, including Zangi
- He expressed a sexual interest in minors during online conversations
- Russell discussed being both a teacher and a coach
- He allegedly shared photographs of apparent St. Andrew’s School students and made inappropriate sexual comments about them
- Russell allegedly discussed efforts to obtain explicit images of students
- Authorities discovered Russell participating in online group chats dedicated to sharing child sexual abuse material
- Investigators identified Russell as the user operating under the screen name “Jack C.”
According to the complaint, Russell allegedly described observing students in school settings and discussed his access to children through his employment. Investigators claim that some of the communications referenced students at St. Andrew’s School and contained sexually explicit discussions involving minors. Federal investigators also allege that Russell admitted to engaging in inappropriate conversations involving minors, some of which were sexual in nature.
According to the criminal complaint, Russell told investigators that he had been “battling this for a while.”
Russell was charged with federal offenses related to the possession and receipt of child sexual abuse material. Court records indicate he was being held in custody pending further proceedings.
St. Andrew’s School Responds
Following Russell’s arrest, St. Andrew’s School informed parents that his employment had been terminated and that he would no longer be permitted on campus or have contact with students.
In a message to parents, Head of School Ethan Shapiro stated:
“We have terminated Mr. Russell’s employment, and he is not permitted to return to campus, access any school equipment or property, attend any school events, or interact with any students or employees.”
The school also stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement authorities during the investigation.
Addressing concerns from families, Shapiro further wrote:
“Our greatest responsibility is and always will be the safety, security, and well-being of all of our students, particularly those who rely on us to teach, nurture, and inspire their educational pursuits.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Teachers Occupy Positions of Trust
When parents send their children to school, they do so with the expectation that teachers and coaches will provide a safe environment free from abuse and exploitation. Educators occupy positions of trust and authority, often interacting with students both inside and outside the classroom.
Schools have a responsibility to implement policies and safeguards designed to protect children and to promptly investigate allegations involving faculty members and staff. Allegations involving child sexual abuse material or inappropriate sexual interest in students are particularly troubling because of the access educators have to children.
The allegations against Patrick Russell describe conduct that, if proven true, would represent a serious abuse of the trust placed in educators by students, parents, and the school community.
Horowitz Law Is Here to Help
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse. We have handled multiple cases of sexual abuse by authority figures in schools. It is expected that any institution where children learn and develop skills provides a safe environment — free from violence, harassment, and sexual abuse. Teachers and coaches are entrusted with guiding and protecting students; anyone who violates that trust has no place in education or youth programs.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused, raped, or sexually molested by a school employee, contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation. Our sexual abuse lawyers can help.