Teacher Faces Child Sexual Exploitation Charges in Clayton County

A teacher faces child sexual exploitation charges in Clayton County.

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office says a recent investigation stemming from a cybercrime investigation has resulted in the arrest of 36-year old Skylar William Hudnut Ahrens of Lake Mills on multiple charges involving the exploitation of a child. 

Ahrens, a physical education teacher for middle and elementary school students and a girls track coach at both middle and high school levels, was taken into custody after undercover deputies posed as a 15-year-old girl on a social media platform.

Investigators say Ahrens was told multiple times the individual was 15 years old. Despite this, he allegedly continued to request nude photographs and sent an explicit image of himself to undercover investigators.

Ahrens now faces several charges in Clayton County, including:

• Exploitation of a Minor
• Telephone Dissemination of Obscene Materials to a Minor
• Grooming

Information from the Clayton County investigation was immediately shared with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, where Ahrens resides, which launched its own undercover operation. That work led to similar charges being filed in Winnebago County.

Clayton County Sheriff Brent Ostrander says this case highlights the critical importance of proactive, undercover operations aimed at identifying and stopping individuals who prey on children.

photo courtesy of Clayton County Sheriff’s Office