Plymouth teacher charged with child pornography

Plymouth, Conn (WTNH) - A middle school teacher has been put on administrative leave after police say they found child pornography on his computer.

41-year-old Damon Papp has been a math teacher at the Eli Terry Jr. Middle School for 9 years, but early Wednesday morning police served a search warrant at his home, and they say they found child pornography on a computer, and other disturbing evidence.

When it was pointed out that police seized colored rope, sex toys, and boxer shorts that were small in his house, parent Donna Munson said, "That's even worse. Especially if they're that small. Does that mean kids were there? That's really scary."

Papp was not only a math teacher, but the boys soccer and wrestling coach. Now he is under arrest, after police say they found more than 50 pictures and 120 videos of child pornography on his computer. The children range in age from toddlers to young teenagers.

Parents with kids in the school system are in shock. They say they never saw it coming.

"I don't like hearing that with anybody, never the less from a teacher that my kids go to. It's a big concern," Bette-Jo Newton said.

"Definitely concerned. I'm not going to lie, but what can you do? I don't know all of the facts, but I am going to have a talk with the kids and see if anything suspicious is going on," Jason Newton said.

Parents have been talking to one another comparing notes. One boy has been staying after school a couple of days a week with Papp for tutoring. Others are wondering if this goes beyond child porn.

When asked if she really knows who is teaching her kids, Munson said, "You don't. Especially something like this. I'm sure it's something no one expected, and all of a sudden there you are."

The Superintendent sent a letter home to parents saying Papp is on administrative leave indefinitely. Wednesday's arrest stems from a three month investigation, which police say they tracked images through the IP address of Papp's computer.

"Scary. You think your kids are safe. It's a little scary," said Munson.

Papp is in jail on a $250,000 bond. Court documents say he is on suicide watch, and if he makes bail he is to have no contact with minors.