Collin Killoren (Photo courtesy: Calumet County Jail)
CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Former teacher Collin Killoren was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography.
Killoren, 31, was also placed on extended supervision for 10 years by Judge Carey Reed. Killoren was also barred from having contact with children, and can’t use the internet.
He previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of child sexploitation and four counts of child pornography possession. Other counts were dismissed.
Before the sentence was issued, Killoren apologized for his actions, saying they could not be justified. Pornography was a way to cope with feelings of worthlessness, he said. But he waited too long to get help.
“The worst part about this is, is that it was too little, too late. I already hurt people. The very people I was committing my life to helping: school-aged girls,” Killoren said. “I never wanted to hurt anyone, just myself.”
According to the criminal complaint, Appleton police were notified of suspicious activity by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Police obtained phone records through a search warrant. Several chats on social media were discovered, with Killoren using the phrase “Hey. M29 USA. Horney High school teacher, Let me know if you want to chat, dirty talk, or role play” to introduce himself.
A variety of sexually explicit photos and videos of underage girls were found that Killoren had and shared.
After initially denying he viewed child pornography, Killoren admitted to doing so.
“Collin told him it started in high school with his friend group and the feeling of loneliness his entire life, and it was just someone to talk to. Sgt. Danoski asked if it always was through Kik. Collin told him it was only through Kik,” the complaints states.
Killoren taught at St. Ignatius Catholic School in Kaukauna, and passed all background checks during the hiring process. None of the images were of students, the school said.
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