Teacher charged with having child porn
A secondgrade teacher in the Wappingers Central School District has been charged with possession of child pornography, state police said Friday.
Steven Schwartz, 53, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested after he allegedly made inappropriate comments to a student at Fishkill Plains Elementary School, where he was employed, police said.
An investigation begun Jan. 26 by state police and the Dutchess County Child Advocacy Center resulted in Schwartz being charged with six felony counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child, police said. They said the school district assisted investigators.
Police said Schwartz possessed images of child pornography on electronic devices he owned. Police did not say where the images originated.
Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady declined to discuss details of the case, saying only that the investigation is ongoing.
In an emailed statement, Wappingers school district Superintendent Jose L. Carrion said the district is conducting its own investigation and “has been cooperating and working closely” with state police.
“The district cannot comment further at this time but will take all necessary steps to protect the health and safety of its students while respecting the rights of all involved,” Carrion said.
Carrion said Schwartz has been placed on administrative leave, “where he will remain pending the conclusion of the district’s investigation.” He declined to say whether the leave is paid or unpaid.
Schwartz was arraigned in Poughkeepsie Town Court and sent to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. Grady said Schwartz was expected to post the amount.
He is due back in court at 2 p.m. Feb. 14.