Longview Police Department urged anyone with information about the sexual exploitation of children to contact local law enforcement.
COWLITZ COUNTY, Wash. — The White Pass School District said it learned that its own superintendent had been arrested in a child exploitation investigation the same way the public did: through a Longview Police Department post on social media.
Earlier that day, Longview police arrested Greggery Ray Teel, 52, of Kelso. According to authorities, detectives linked him to a months-long investigation into the possession and online distribution of child sexual abuse material. Teel serves as superintendent of the rural school district in eastern Lewis County.
According to a public professional profile linked from the White Pass School District staff page, Teel has spent much of his career in elementary education and school administration. Including roles as an elementary principal and classroom teacher in multiple southwest Washington districts before becoming superintendent in 2025. Teel’s LinkedIn profile indicates he worked at the Centralia and Toutle school districts in addition to White Pass.
Police said they have found no evidence that any students in the district were involved.
Police traced online activity to Kelso residence
Detectives launched the investigation after receiving multiple referrals from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, police said. An electronic service provider submitted the reports. They flagged several accounts suspected of uploading and sharing illegal images involving minors.
Next, investigators worked with NCMEC and several service providers. Through court-authorized search warrants, they obtained subscriber records, account data and internet usage logs.
Those records repeatedly pointed to the same individual, address and verified phone number in Kelso, according to police.
Meanwhile, additional CyberTip reports confirmed continued activity tied to the same accounts. As a result, detectives finalized a plan to arrest Teel.
Police took him into custody without incident at about 9 a.m. Tuesday. Shortly after, detectives executed a search warrant at his residence. The investigation remains ongoing.
District says law enforcement did not notify officials
Later that day, White Pass School District officials sent a letter to families and community members. In it, they said law enforcement did not notify them before the arrest.
“Please understand that the district became aware of Mr. Teel’s arrest solely by the media release from the Longview Police Department on social media,” the letter stated. “No law enforcement entity has approached us with any updates or information.”
As of Tuesday, district leaders said they still had not received details about the allegations.
“We are in the same position as all of you who are reading this,” the letter said. “We do not have details, and we have little information.”
Superintendent placed on administrative leave
Because of the severity of the allegations, the district placed Teel on administrative leave effective immediately.
Officials said he no longer has access to school facilities or students.
At the same time, the district emphasized that student safety remains its top priority. Leaders cited the police statement indicating they have found no evidence that district students were involved.
School Board President Joel McMahan signed the letter.
Police ask public to report information
Finally, the Longview Police Department urged anyone with information about the sexual exploitation of children to contact local law enforcement. People can also submit tips through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
Anyone with information related to this case can contact Detective Adam Surface at 360-442-5800.
PNW Daily will continue to update you on this breaking story.
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