Homer-Center School District teacher arrested on child porn charges
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - A Homer-Center School District teacher was arrested on child porn charges, prosecutors announced Monday.
According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, 31-year-old Charles Kirkland of Derry Township was charged after a tip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The district attorney's office said Google reported suspected child pornography on a user's account. State police said some, if not all, of the videos depicted children under 18.
Investigators said they traced the videos back to Kirkland's home in Derry Township, where he was arrested.
The district attorney's office said Kirkland is a teacher in the Homer-Center School District. According to the district's website, he's a high school business teacher.
Homer-Center Superintendent Ralph Cecere Jr. said in a statement that the district learned about the charges on Sunday and it doesn't appear there's any connection between the accusations and the schools.
"Nevertheless, the district has taken steps to ensure a safe campus and is working with local and state representatives to thoroughly investigate this matter. We will continue to work with all agencies cooperatively," Cecere's statement said.
The district said it takes the matter seriously but can't release any more details because it's a personnel matter.
Kirkland is facing charges of felony child pornography, disseminating photo/film of child sex acts and criminal use of a communication facility. He was arraigned Monday and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
