CANTON -- John Free, 51, of Ogdensburg, has been arrested by state police for second-degree murder, according to St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua.

Free is charged with allegedly killing John Barr, 58, a Rensselaer Falls man found dead late last week in his home at 12 Heuvelton St., Rensselaer Falls, according to a press release from Pasqua's office,

Free is alleged to have struck Barr in the head with blunt objects, killing Barr.

Free was recently interviewed about his time and actions as an employee at Ivy Ridge for a podcast hosted by two former students.

WWNY-TV also interviewed him in an hour long program.

Now closed, Ivy Ridge has come under nationwide attention following the release of "The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnappings" on Netflix, which alleges abuses and atrocities carried out at the Academy at Ivy Ridge between 2001 and 2009.

Free was arraigned in Gouverneur Town Court and remanded to St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility without bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m. in Gouverneur Town Court.

State Police Troops B and D were assisted by the St. Lawrence County District Attorney's Office and St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office during the investigation.