Retired Teacher Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

Harold Scallon Jr, a retired Texas teacher who continued to work for the Rusk Independent School District on limited contracts after his retirement, was indicted on child pornography and distribution of child pornographic material earlier this week.

A collaborative investigation by local law enforcement and the FBI into Scallon’s personal computer uncovered the explicit sexual material featuring minors. Also found was allegedly distributed sexually explicit materials involving minors back in August of 2007. School district superintendent, Jim Lergen, was unaware of any charges or any inappropriate conduct against Scallon, claiming that no student, faculty member or parent had ever brought him any allegation of inappropriate behavior against the 28-year district veteran and High School English Teacher. Lergen stated that in the fall of 2007, federal investigators confiscated a school computer but later returned it as authenticated and clear of inappropriate or illegal content. At that time, Lergen was not aware for who or what investigators were searching.

“…and if I hadn’t seen it on the news last night, I wouldn’t have even known he’d been indicted.”

The Federal Grand Jury indictment is for one count of possession and one count of distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. If he is found guilty, Scallon could get a maximum of 30 years in prison.