Dubuque, Iowa — Andrew Roos, a 35-year-old former mathematics teacher at Hempstead High School in the Dubuque Community School District, faces six federal charges related to child exploitation and child pornography, according to a federal indictment unsealed on May 20, 2026. 

The indictment alleges that Roos attempted to use, persuade, induce, or entice minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct. It further claims he produced, distributed, and possessed visual depictions of such conduct, constituting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The alleged activities reportedly occurred at Hempstead High School over the course of several years. 

Investigation Background

The case originated from a report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Dubuque police initiated an investigation, which led to a search warrant executed in January 2026. 

According to documents associated with the search warrant, authorities seized two pens equipped with hidden cameras and other recording devices from Roos’ classroom. Evidence reportedly included CSAM and AI-generated images depicting Dubuque high school students found on Roos’ Kik accounts, along with files of students on devices used in the classroom. 

The Dubuque Community School District placed Roos on administrative (paid) leave in mid-May 2025 after police notified them of the ongoing investigation. The district has stated it fully cooperated with law enforcement and continues to follow its internal employment processes. 

District Response

In a statement released following the indictment, the Dubuque Community School District expressed deep concern:

Actions like those alleged have no place in our schools or community and, as a District, we share in this deep concern. It is clear from the charges that this was a complex, multifaceted investigation that extends far beyond our District and community.” 

The district emphasized its focus on supporting students and families, offering counseling resources through school offices. Roos remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal case and separate employment proceedings. 

Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties

Roos is scheduled for arraignment on Friday, May 23, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If convicted on the charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. 

As with all federal criminal cases, Roos is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Court records, including the indictment and search warrant affidavits, form the basis of the public allegations.

Context on the Case

Andrew Roos is a 2013 graduate of Hempstead High School and began teaching Algebra 2 and Honors Geometry there in the fall of 2013, following in the footsteps of his late father, who had also taught mathematics at the school. 

This case highlights broader concerns regarding the use of hidden recording devices in educational settings, the role of artificial intelligence in generating exploitative imagery, and the challenges schools and law enforcement face in detecting and responding to such allegations. Federal involvement typically occurs in child exploitation cases due to the interstate nature of online distribution and platforms involved.

All individuals are entitled to due process under the law.