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PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Officials with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday the arrest of a 59-year-old school principal in Apache Junction, accused of luring teen girls online.
According to a statement released by PCSO Tuesday afternoon, Karl Judd Waggoner, the principal of Four Peaks Elementary School, was arrested near the school early Tuesday morning, and is charged with alleged luring and alleged aggravated luring of a minor.
According to the statement, Waggoner posted ads soliciting teen girls to go skinny dipping with him at his home. Detectives with PCSO's sex crimes unit reportedly conducted an undercover investigation, posing as a 14-year-old girl, after spotting one of Waggoner's ads.
Waggoner, according to PSCO officials, allegedly engaged in sexually inappropriate conversations, discussed engaging in sexual acts with the undercover detective, and provided provided sexually explicit photos.
"This was not something that was a one-time thing," said Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. "He was actively doing this."
According to Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, Waggoner allegedly posted ads online up until this past weekend, soliciting young girls for sex. Waggoner, according to the statement, allegedly admitted to his involvement in the cast with investigators.
After news of Waggoner's arrest broke, officials with the Apache Junction Unified School District released the copy of a letter that was sent home with students at Four Peaks Elementary School.
(Can't see this letter? Click here)
According to the letter, Waggoner began working for the Apache Junction Unified School District on July 18, and he had moved to the area from Texas. Officials said prior to offering Waggoner his position, the school district conducted all background checks required by law, and found no prior arrests or criminal history.
According to our sister station in Texas, Waggoner worked in the Austin School District.
"Unless they've been caught for a crime, these are hard to catch on a background investigation," said Sheriff Lamb.
At this time, school district officials said Waggoner is still an employee with the district, but is not performing any job duties. Officials also said they have no reason to believe that Waggoner engaged in any improper conduct with students within the school district.
School district officials also announced the appointment of Chad Cantrell, Assistant Principal at Cactus Canyon Junior High, as Four Peaks Elementary's acting principal.
Parents, meanwhile, said they are concerned.
"We just put the kids in here, 1st and 2nd grade," said Glen Blue, whose two grandsons attend Four Peaks Elementary. "Not too happy hearing this."