Sullivan STEAM School substitute teacher charged with 14 felony counts related to the sexual exploitation of children under 14

Following his arrest Wednesday, May 14, 2025, by Minneapolis Park Police officers, Linden Hills resident Preston Casey Palmer, 34, of  Minneapolis was charged on  May 16 with 14 felony counts related to the sexual exploitation of children under age 14. Officers recovered multiple devices containing digital media containing apparent child pornography.

On Wednesday, May 14,  at approximately 3:30 p.m., Park Police officers were dispatched to Brackett Field Park (2728 39^th Avenue South) on a suspicious person call. Responding officers learned the involved suspect had come to the park to exchange illicit digital pornography involving children, according to the Park Police. The suspect, Preston Casey Palmer, was arrested at the scene. During the arrest, Park Police officers recovered multiple devices containing digital media. Officers gathered evidence from witnesses at the scene. Based on the evidence gathered, Palmer was booked into Hennepin County Jail for probable cause pornographic work involving minors, a felony crime.

Immediately that evening, Park Police investigators and officers conducted a search warrant at Palmer’s residence and collected additional items. During a search of a collected media device, Park Police investigators confirmed the presence of child pornography. Given the complexity of this case, and the amount of evidence involved, the Park Police Department requested assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s (BCA) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Park Police Department and BCA are collaborating on further investigation. 

On May 16, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Preston Casey Palmer with 14 felony counts, for crimes stemming from this arrest. The criminal complaint is publicly available through Minnesota Courts. The Court File Number is 27-CR-25-12301. Bail was set at $250,000, he was ordered to have no contact with persons under age 18, and not to have access to or use the internet without approval.

His next court appearance is May 19.

Palmer was employed by Minneapolis Public Schools at Sullivan STEAM School at the time of his arrest as a substitute teacher. Over the last school year, he had also taught at Southwest High School, Ella Baker (pre-K through eighth grade), the Anishinabe Academy and Waite Park elementary schools. The school has been advised of Preston’s criminal charges.

Investigators are asking anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact the BCA Predatory Crimes Tipline at 651-793-2465.