A Fairfield man has been arrested following a sexual abuse investigation involving a Fairfield High School student.
According to the Fairfield Police Department, officers received a complaint on January 28, 2026, from a concerned parent regarding their juvenile daughter, who is a student at Fairfield High School. The complaint involved suspicions of inappropriate contact through social media between the juvenile female and an adult male teacher at the school.
Police say the Fairfield Police Department immediately began investigating the matter. During the course of the investigation, officers obtained sufficient evidence to apply for search warrants related to the case. Those warrants were granted and executed on February 5, 2026.
As a result of evidence gathered during the investigation, officers arrested 57-year-old Vannen Crabtree Jr. of Richland, Iowa.
Crabtree is charged with Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, a Class D felony, Grooming, also a Class D felony, and Lascivious Acts with a Minor, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Crabtree is currently being held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility without bond, pending an initial court appearance.
The Fairfield Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Police say aspects of the case remain under investigation. Additional information may be released as it becomes available, however details will remain limited in order to protect the identity of the juvenile victim.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Fairfield Police Department at 641-472-4146.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.