Anthony J. Hirsch teacher's aide arrested in child porn investigation

A Waunakee teacher's aide, allegedly caught up in a federal child pornography investigation, has been arrested on suspicion of downloading child pornography from a group of Web sites being monitored by federal investigators.

Police searched the home of Anthony J. Hirsch, 32, and seized a computer, sex toys and other items on Friday, according to a search warrant filed Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court. According to the warrant, the federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement contacted Madison police last month to tell them that Hirsch was a "subject of interest" in the investigation of a commercial child exploitation Web site that gave members access to at least 18 child exploitation Web sites.

Hirsch was released from jail on Wednesday. Madison police said Hirsch is an educational assistant for special education students at Waunakee Middle School and formerly worked in a similar job at La Follette High School in Madison. Both school districts have been notified. Hirsch's job status at Waunakee was not immediately available.