POTTSVILLE, Ark. — A 63-year-old Pottsville man who has been working in the cafeteria at Pottsville Elementary School was arrested Sunday following allegations that he had been exchanging inappropriate messages with a minor and planned to meet the minor in person.
Richard Leon Ulrich, 63, of Pottsville, was arrested by the Pottsville Police Department on Sunday, Oct. 18, and booked into the Pope County Detention Center at 4:52 p.m. on a charge of internet stalking of a child, a Class B felony.
According to a press release from Pottsville Police Chief John Pritchard, officers were dispatched to an address on Pisgah Road at approximately 12:39 p.m. Sunday in reference to sexual misconduct.
Police said the complaint originated from a group identifying itself as “Bikers Against Predators,” whose members alleged that a man at the address had been inappropriately messaging a minor and was planning to meet the minor at a disclosed location.
The man was subsequently identified as Ulrich and taken into custody.
Police said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.
The arrest prompted a statement Sunday from Pottsville School District Superintendent Shane Thurman, who confirmed Ulrich had worked as a cafeteria employee at Pottsville Elementary School during the current school year.
“We take these allegations very seriously,” Thurman said. “The district is cooperating fully with the Pottsville Police Department as they conduct their investigation.”
Thurman said Ulrich’s employment has been suspended pending further investigation. His access to all district buildings, facilities and district accounts has also been revoked.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” Thurman said. “We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and secure learning environment and will provide additional information as appropriate.”
Authorities have not released further details about the alleged communications, including whether the person Ulrich was allegedly communicating with was an actual minor or someone posing as one. Neither the police department nor the school district has indicated whether any Pottsville students were involved.
A video from the Bikers Against Predators depicting a confrontation with Ulrich and his subsequent arrest was posted to Facebook Sunday. See it here.
