A Franklin County grand jury May 21 indicted former South-Western City Schools teacher Michael J. Walsh, 61, on a total of nine counts of felony child-pornography charges.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien announced Walsh was indicted on five second-degree felony charges, which are levied when a person with knowledge of the character of the material creates, records, photographs, films, develops, reproduces or publishes material showing a minor participating in or engaging in sexual activity.
Walsh was also indicted on four fourth-degree felony charges, which relate to knowingly soliciting, receiving, purchasing, exchanging, possessing or controlling such material.
"Between November 2014 and April 2017, it is alleged that while in his home, Walsh downloaded multiple videos and images depicting young children engaging in sexual activity with adults," O'Brien said in announcing the indictment.
Walsh was employed teaching classes in South-Western's career tech exploration program at Pleasant View Middle School when he was arrested April 5, 2017, at his home by Franklin County sheriff's deputies.
The district placed him on administrative leave immediately after his arrest and Walsh resigned April 17, 2017. He had taught in South-Western schools for 20 years.
Walsh is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 4, in courtroom 2A at Franklin Common Pleas Court, 345 S. High St. in Columbus.
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