(11/07/08 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Raymond Ferenci, 52, band director at Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California has been arrested on federal child pornography charges.
Ferenci was arrested at his home on Thursday following a six month investigation.
Ferenci came to the attention of authorities in May when police began investigating allegations that Ferenci had been sending text messages of a sexual nature to three female students.
Reportedly Ferenci allowed police seeking evidence of the alleged improper text messages to search two personal computers in his home.
During the course of examining Ferenci’s computers police allegedly discovered 200 images and videos of child pornography. Investigators indicate that the discovery included pictures of pre-teen females being sexually exploited, children as young as four, and teenaged girls ages 14 to 16.
In addition to the alleged child pornography, investigators say that on Ferenci’s hard drive they photos of some of his female students in bathing suits.
Ferenci allegedly admitted preferring pornographic images of girls 14 to 16, because they were the same age as the students he was sexually text-messaging.
Ferenci who has been the band director at Tulare Western High School for the past 19 years has been on paid administrative leave since May.
Following his arrest Ferenci was being held in the Fresno County Jail without bail. He will likely appear for arraignment in federal court this afternoon.
11/22/08 – Indictment and Court Appearance
On Thursday, Raymond Ferenci was formally indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of possession and receiving child pornography.
Ferenci pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession and receiving child pornography at an appearance in federal court in Fresno Friday.
Earlier this week, the Tulare Joint Union High School District cut off Ferenci’s salary, placing him on unpaid administrative leave.
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November 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Again webmaster, shouldn’t it say formally charged, not formerly?
Webmaster’s reply: Yes, it should. And this is the second time in the last few days that this same mistake has slipped through. Good catch on your part, bad proofreading on ours…