Frederick County Teacher Arrested on Multiple Sexual Abuse Charges Following Investigation

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has arrested a Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) employee on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse, as detailed in a recent announcement from the FCSO. The investigation began on September 19, 2025, after the FCSO received a report concerning sexual abuse of a minor. The employee in question has been identified as John McAleer, a 22-year-old Special Education Instructional Assistant at Oakdale Middle School. FCPS placed McAleer on administrative leave the same day the report was initially received.

During the course of the investigation, detectives with the FCSO identified several minor students who allegedly experienced sexual abuse by McAleer while he was employed at Oakdale Middle School. This led to the procurement of search warrants for McAleer’s residence, vehicle, and person on October 5, 2025. The following morning, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the FCSO’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team executed the search warrant at McAleer’s residence, located on Basford Road.

Upon arrival at the residence, McAleer reportedly refused to exit the home and barricaded himself inside a bedroom. Deputies attempted to negotiate with him, but their efforts to elicit a response were unsuccessful. While continuing to attempt to get McAleer to exit the residence, deputies observed signs of injury, specifically blood within the bedroom, prompting an emergency entry. McAleer was found to have sustained serious self-inflicted injuries, consistent with an apparent suicide attempt involving a knife. Deputies immediately administered life-saving aid to control significant bleeding before McAleer was transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital for treatment.

Following these events, detectives secured an arrest warrant for McAleer. The charges listed in the warrant include two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, two counts of third-degree sexual offense involving a victim under 14 years of age, and two counts of third-degree sexual offense involving a cognitively impaired victim.

On October 12, 2025, McAleer was released from the hospital and subsequently taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., acting on the FCSO arrest warrant. He was then extradited to Frederick County on October 15, 2025, and booked into the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. The FCSO has stated that this investigation remains active and ongoing. Individuals with any additional information pertinent to this case are encouraged to contact Detective Lawson at 301-600-2817 or via email at LLawson@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office

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