Kreider Lets St. Patrick Interparish Molester off With Time Served After State Attorney Kramer's Office Drops Several Cases

Update | April 27, 2026: All of Christopher Chell's sworn complaints have been obtained and can be read below. The reports detail Chell abusing his position to molest middle-school girls but prosecutors didn't pursue the child molestation charges. Multiple victims told police about Chell's unlawful touching.

Judge David Kreider has accepted former St. Patrick Interparish Catholic School teacher Christopher Chell’s plea deal petition in his child sexual abuse cases, sentencing him to time served and five years probation.

Chell pled no contest in a plea deal and was granted withheld adjudication.

Kreider accepted the plea deal negotiated between Chell's defense and the prosecution where Chell avoided further jail time. Chell's plea deal also includes relinquishing his teaching certifications, not contacting two of the victims, and taking a psycho-sexual evaluation followed by recommended treatment.

State Attorney Brian Kramer’s Office of the Eighth Judicial Circuit dropped several cases against Chell. The plea agreement was signed off by prosecuting attorney Darla Whistler.

This came after Kramer’s Office dropped the charges against St. Patrick Interparish Assistant Principal Ryan Clemens who was arrested and charged after reportedly concealing evidence for Chell.

Chell was still hired by St. Patrick Interparish despite being charged for battery in 2000. Chell pled no contest and was granted a withheld adjudication in that case as well.

The following is a summary of Chell’s dispositions: