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KARLSTAD, Minn. — The superintendent of the Ulen-Hitterdal School District in Clay County is charged with trespassing at a school where he previously worked as superintendent.
According to a criminal citation, 38-year-old Ryan Baron was spotted on a surveillance camera in the Tri County School at 1 a.m. Oct. 10 in Karlstad, Minnesota.
"It didn't sound like they were actually looking for him. They were investigating something else, and as a result they found him on the footage," said Chief Deputy Matt Vig with the Kittson County Sheriff's Office.
Baron was allegedly in the school building for about five minutes and spent about half of that time in the administration office. When asked if it was known what Baron did while in the office, Vig said, "Well, that's the big question."
"There's the unknown right there," the chief deputy said. "We aren't sure what he really did when he went in there."
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Baron's lawyer, Matt Dearth, said, "It's very possible this is just a misunderstanding that is getting blown out of proportion here."
Police say Baron still had a key to the school and that's how he got in. Even though there's more than 100 miles between his new job and old job, Baron still lives within "walking distance" of Tri County School, where — until a few weeks ago — Baron was a substitute teacher and bus driver in Karlstad.
His lawyer said there is a legal explanation.
"I have some insight into that, it's something I can't really share right now, but I assure you, there is an explanation and it's going to be coming to light," Dearth said.
Baron's lawyer said prosecutors have not yet shared any evidence with him as to why Baron was charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor that has a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail.
"People need to settle down a little bit and not jump to conclusions," Dearth said.
Baron's lawyer did not know the status of his client's job with the Ulen-Hitterdall School District. The school board did not respond to a request for comment.
