A former Fairfield Public Schools employee pleaded guilty Thursday to sex assault and possession of child pornography.

In Nov. 2023, Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that led them to obtain Peter Wheeler's computer. Prosecutors say he worked at the school as a paraprofessional – a teacher's aide.

Police found over 500 images and over 50 videos of child pornography. He was initially arrested on Jan. 23.

News 12 has reported that Wheeler was informed that he could not have any further interactions with staff and students or enter any school buildings.

Wheeler was arrested for a second time in February after police discovered he victimized an elementary school-aged girl and a male high school student.

On Thursday, Wheeler pleaded guilty to sexual assaulting an 8-year-old-girl and convincing a young boy, who was also a student, to send him explicit photos of himself.

Under a plea agreement, Wheeler is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in prison in October. His sentence will then be suspended after eight years, followed by 35 years of probation.