A physical education and health teacher at Cooperstown Jr./Sr. High School was arrested Friday on charges of sending and receiving images of child pornography.

Parents of students in the district were notified late Friday morning via voice message, which said Justin Hobbie was taken into custody Friday on child porn related charges.

''At this time there is no evidence that this arrest and charge involves any child in the Cooperstown Central School District. If this changes, federal agencies will contact families directly,'' the message from superintendent William Crankshaw said.

According to a news release distributed Friday afternoon by the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York:

Hobbie received and distributed images of child pornography using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.  An initial review of his desktop computer revealed that it contained numerous video files depicting child pornography. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Hobbie was also the school's girl's modified soccer coach, WIBX has learned.

The charges carry a sentence of 5 to 20 years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine.

 

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