Rapid City Teacher Andrew Hiipakka Faces Child Porn Charges

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A middle school teacher in Rapid City has been charged with possessing child pornography and fired from his job.

Police say 26-year-old Andrew Hiipakka was arrested on eight counts after detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip last week that led to a search of his home. Authorities allege that Hiipakka had child porn on his personal computer, and they're investigating other electronic devices he owns.

Hiipakka was arrested Tuesday afternoon and was being held in the Pennington County Jail. It was not immediately clear if he had obtained an attorney.

Hiipakka taught at St. Thomas More Middle School. Police say they contacted the Rapid City Catholic School System last Thursday about the investigation, and Hiipakka was immediately fired.

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