"’Bait’ the Students": Federal Complaint Against Former Milwaukee Catholic School Teacher Sparks Calls for WI DOJ Investigation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2026
Patrick Conor Russell, a school teacher and coach who previously served at several Catholic elementary and secondary schools within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, was arrested by the FBI on federal charges involving the receipt, possession, and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
According to court records, investigators allege that Russell possessed thousands of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The Department of Justice claims that Russell used the secure messaging app Zangi to send a message to another individual stating, “If you were a student in my high school English class, what would you do to hit on me to let me know you wanted to (expletive)?"
The complaint states that Russell identified himself on Zangi as a teacher and coach and had expressed a desire to find someone who could 'bait' the students at his school into sharing nude photos with him.
According to the DOJ, Russell admitted to law enforcement that he had engaged in online conversations about sexual exploitation of minors, requested and forwarded images and videos of minors, and masturbated to the ones he received.
Russell grew up in Brookfield, Wisconsin, attended Marquette University High School, and worked in multiple educational and athletic positions in Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic grade schools and high schools as well as Carmen Southeast High School, a Milwaukee public charter school, before relocating to Florida as a teacher and assistant football coach at St. Andrew's School in Boca Raton. These assignments include:
Marquette University High School
St. Benedict Grade School
St. Dominic Grade School
St. John Vianney Grade School
St. Robert Grade School
Catholic Memorial High School
Carmen Southeast High School
Russell’s admissions to law enforcement and employment history working with Milwaukee-area children raise alarming questions regarding complaints, concerns, or evidence of child sex crimes prior to his relocation to Florida.
Wisconsin law does not require religious institutions to report suspected child abuse or related misconduct in the same manner as many other organizations serving children, creating significant gaps in accountability and oversight. As a result, there is no assurance that allegations, concerns, or potential crimes would have been reported to law enforcement or disclosed when employees moved between institutions.
That concern is heightened by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's long history of resisting law enforcement scrutiny of clergy abuse. For years, Wisconsin church officials and religious orders have opposed investigations and withheld tens of thousands of pages of internal records relating to abuse allegations and institutional responses. Given that documented pattern of obstruction, any serious allegations or admissions involving Catholic clergy, ministers, or educators must be independently reviewed by law enforcement to determine whether Wisconsin victims, evidence, or prior concerns are connected to the case.
Survivors from Nate’s Mission urge victims, witnesses, and anyone with information about abuse and cover to make a report to the Wisconsin DOJ online or by calling 1-877-222-2620.
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