FCSO Arrests FCPS Employee on Multiple Child Sexual Abuse Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McAleer

FREDERICK, Md. (October 15, 2025)— On September 19, 2025, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) received a report alleging sexual abuse of a minor involving a Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) employee. The employee was identified as John McAleer, 22, of Frederick, MD, a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Oakdale Middle School. McAleer was immediately placed on administrative leave by FCPS the same day the report was received.

During the course of the investigation, FCSO detectives identified multiple minor students who reported sexual abuse by McAleer that occurred at Oakdale Middle School.

On October 5, 2025, detectives obtained search warrants for McAleer’s residence, vehicle, and person. The following morning, October 6, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the FCSO SWAT team executed the search warrant at McAleer’s residence in the 3000 block of Basford Road.

McAleer refused to exit the home and barricaded himself in a bedroom. Deputies attempted to negotiate with him, but he did not respond. While continuing efforts to get McAleer out of the residence, deputies observed blood inside the bedroom and made an emergency entry. McAleer was found with serious self-inflicted injuries from an apparent suicide attempt with a knife. Deputies immediately provided life-saving aid to stop massive bleeding, and McAleer was flown to an area hospital for treatment.

Detectives subsequently obtained an arrest warrant charging McAleer with the following offenses:

·         2 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor (CR 3-602)

·         2 counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Offense – Victim Under 14 (CR 3-307(a)(3))

·         2 counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Offense – Cognitively Impaired Victim (CR 3-307(a)(2))

On October 12, McAleer was released from the hospital and taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Department (Washington, D.C.) on the FCSO warrant. On October 15, he was extradited to Frederick County and booked into the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Lawson at 301-600-2817 or LLawson@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

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The Frederick County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) is a full-service law enforcement agency, an arm of the court, and a keeper of offenders. In this regard, it exists to serve the more than 290,000 citizens of Frederick County with respect, fairness, and compassion. FCSO is committed to the prevention of crime; the protection of life and property; the preservation of peace and order; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; the safeguarding of constitutional guarantees; and safekeeping of prisoners. The men, women, and officers of this office nurture public trust by holding themselves to the highest standards of performance and ethics. The FCSO is located at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD, 21701. Visit www.frederickcosheriff.com for more information.