The Aledo Police Department, in collaboration with the State’s Attorney’s Office, has arrested three Mercer County School District employees following an investigation into the illegal access of student medical records.
On Wednesday, search warrants were executed at Mercer County High School in Aledo and the Mercer County School District Unit 404 office in Joy, with assistance from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. Electronic devices were seized as evidence during the searches.
Amberly Norton, 41, and Andrea Long, 41, both of Aledo and school district employees, were taken into custody. Additionally, 53-year-old Timothy Farquer of Williamsfield, the Superintendent of the Mercer County School District, was also arrested after being linked to the unauthorized access.
The State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Norton and Long with unauthorized access to medical records (Class A Misdemeanor) and computer tampering (Class 4 Felony). Farquer faces the same charges, along with official misconduct.
All three individuals are currently held at the Mercer County Jail pending an initial court appearance.