Pasco elementary teacher arrested on child pornography charges

A euphony teacher astatine Oakstead Elementary successful Land O’ Lakes was arrested Monday connected charges related to kid pornography.

Joseph Watson faces charges of 2 counts of possession of kid pornography, 2 counts of promotion of kid pornography and 2 counts of unlawful usage of a two-way device.

A connection from Oakstead Principal Clare Ennis to families said that instrumentality enforcement confirmed the charges are not connected to the teacher’s relation and that they “acted instantly to guarantee the idiosyncratic is nary longer connected field and has nary further interaction with students.”

“I sincerely recognize however troubling this quality whitethorn be, and we volition enactment to supply attraction and enactment to students and unit connected campus,” Ennis said.

Ennis said the probe was progressive and anyone with accusation should interaction the Florida Department of Law Enforcement astatine (800) 226-1140.

“The information and well-being of our students is the priority,” territory spokesperson Toni Zetzsche said.

Jessica Wright, Pasco County schoolhouse committee subordinate for District 4, which Oakstead Elementary is simply a portion of, said she was profoundly saddened by the quality but thought it was important to beryllium talked astir openly.

“When we find retired radical could beryllium putting kids successful harm’s way, we’re going to marque definite they’re not going to spot the airy of day,” she said.

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