Michael Gogerty, 41, of Las Vegas, Nevada and a fifth grade teacher at Hafen Elementary School in Pahrump, Nevada has been charged with possessing and receiving child pornography over the Internet.
According to a news release from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement:
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the investigation into Gogerty began after ICE received a tip from the Toronto Police Services Sex Crime Unit that a child pornography video file had been posted on the Internet via “yousendit.com.” Subscriber information supplied by the Internet provider led ICE agents to the Las Vegas address where Gogerty resides.
During a consensual search of Gogerty’s home, investigators discovered numerous images and video files containing child pornography on his computer. Agents seized more than 200 CDs and floppy disks which, according to Gogerty, contained images of prepubescent minors engaged illicit sexual conduct. Further investigation determined that Gogerty’s computer contained more than 250 video files with names indicating child pornography.
Reportedly, the illicit materials included images of prepubescent girls and pictures of girls engaged in bestiality. It is also being reported that Gogerty told federal agents that he has also posed as a 13-year-old boy to chat with young girls on the computer and has been accused of inappropriate behavior at school.
Gogerty appeared in federal court in Las Vegas yesterday and was ordered held without bail. If convicted he faces a maximum 30 years in prison, and $500,000 fine.
Gogerty has been suspended from his teaching position without pay.
Gogerty has taught at Hafen Elementary School in Pahrump for the last two years. Prior to that he was reportedly a teacher’s assistant in Las Vegas and also worked at various day care facilities.
A Google cache of what purports to be Michael Gogerty’s former page at Hafen Elementary School indicates that he taught at the following schools during the time frames indicated:
2004 – Present: Hafen Elementary School, Pahrump, NV
2001 – 2004: Doris Hancock Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV
1999 – 2001: Helen M.Smith Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV
The same cached pages indicates he received a degree in Elementary Education (BS), from Nova Southeastern University.
05/06/08 – Sentencing
Michael Gogerty, who pleaded guilty to the charges in February, has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for receiving child pornography over the internet.
References:
Former teacher sentenced in child pornography case (05/06/08)
ICE News Release (8/17/07)
Teacher jailed on child porn charges (8/17/07)
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