Substitute teacher faces child porn charge

HELENA (AP) — A substitute teacher hired about two weeks ago at Four Georgians Elementary in Helena and who police say downloaded child pornography at home has been charged with felony sexual abuse of children.

The Independent Record reports (http://bit.ly/srGYR2) that 34-year-old Jason Lawrence Carrick was taken into custody Thursday by Helena police and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Police said they searched Carrick's home and seized his computer.

According to an FBI affidavit, law enforcement officials analyzing networks determined Carrick downloaded about 117 child pornography files between Sept. 1 and Oct. 22. The affidavit said the files contain video of men sexually assaulting what appear to be prepubescent girls.

Lewis and Clark County Attorney Leo Gallagher said there's no indication Carrick took part in any physical crimes against children or helped produce the videos.

Helena School Superintendent Keith Meyer said Carrick's duties included working at the playgrounds and assisting teachers in the classroom. He was also a substitute teacher for parts of six or eight days at Four Georgians, Hawthorne, Kessler and Warren Elementary schools. He said Carrick didn't have access to school computers.

Meyer said a background check didn't find that Carrick had a police record.

The school on Friday sent a note to parents of Four Georgians students letting them know they could call Principal Melinda Thompson with concerns or questions.

Carrick's bail was set at $50,000.