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Fired Substitute Teacher Now Faces Child Porn Charges

(STMW) -- A former substitute teacher at a north suburban high school, originally charged with posting "inappropriate communications" online after he lost his job, is now facing more child pornography charges.

Steven Habay, 40, was released May 28 from his substitute teacher position with north suburban Township High School District 113 "following an internal personnel investigation," according to Highland Park police.

But after he lost access rights to Highland Park High Schools' technology, he began posting "disparaging rants related to his release," police said at the time.

Habay was arrested May 31 after police tracked down his computer's IP address to the home where he lives with his parents in the 1500 block of Lancelot Avenue in Highland Park, according to police.

He was charged with one felony count of cyber stalking and a misdemeanor count of harassment by electronic device, according to police, who said computer evidence and statements made at the time of his arrest linked him to the "inappropriate communications."

His computer was seized, and a forensic examiner recently discovered images that violate child pornography statutes, police said. Officials stressed the photos appear to have been obtained through Internet searches, not from personal interaction with children, Pioneer Press is reporting.

An arrest warrant with a $250,000 bond was issued and Habay was arrested again on July 16 by police and Lake County State's Attorney's office investigators. He was charged with five felony counts of possession of child pornography.

He appeared in court Saturday, where he was ordered ordered held on a $15,000 bond, police said.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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