Fayette Co. Substitute Teacher & Father Arrested On Child Porn Charges

UNIONTOWN (KDKA) – A father and son have been arrested for allegedly possessing child pornography in Fayette County.

The suspects have been identified as Robert Caldwell Sr. and Robert Caldwell Jr.

According to state police, the investigation began in March of 2014, while Caldwell Jr. was a substitute teacher at the Laurel Highlands Middle School.

At the time, the principal of the school alerted police to Caldwell Jr. having inappropriate contact with several male students.

Police interviewed the students, who said Caldwell Jr. had sent text messages with inappropriate language and showed a pornographic picture to them on his phone during school hours.

"One of the substitute teachers, Mr. Caldwell Jr. - that was working there at the time - had sent this information, and according to the boys, via his cell phone to their cell phones," said Trooper Stefani Lucas, of Pennsylvania State Police. "Also, he made some inappropriate comments while he was substitute teaching at the school."

The school district immediately stopped using Caldwell.

"They are very serious charges. Some of them involve multiple counts," said Trooper Lucas.

Police obtained a search warrant for Caldwell Jr.'s phone, which was executed at his home. During the search, police found a nude photo of a teenage boy.

At that time, police obtained a second search warrant for the house, where officers found numerous videos of suspected child pornography belonging to both Caldwell Sr. and Caldwell Jr.

"Some pornographic material was found the bedrooms of both Mr. Caldwell Jr. and Sr. after that search warrant was executed and that information was received. The charges were subsequently filed for both males involved with the incident," said Trooper Lucas.

Caldwell Jr. is facing charges including, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual abuse of children and corruption of minors.

Caldwell Sr. is facing charges including, sexual abuse of children/child pornography, and sexual abuse of children/photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer of filming sexual acts.

Both men are now in jail.

KDKA contacted an attorney representing both men. He says the images do not appear to be illegal pornography. His clients will plead not guilty.

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