Teacher arrested for child pornography
VAN NUYS—A Los Angeles Unified School District teacher was arrested April 23rd after authorities discovered child pornography DVD’s sent to him through the mail. Forty six year old Douglas Randolph Collins taught at Fernangeles Elementary school from 2004 to 2010 and was at the Van Nuys Educational Center at the time of his arrest.
Douglas Collins had been removed from his position at Fernangeles Elementary School prior to his arrest
According to a press release forwarded to the LASD by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Collins ordered numerous DVD’s online depicting minors “lewdly spreading their genitals or engaged in or simulating ‘sexual conduct.’” The former 5th grade teacher is now facing up to year of jail time, a maximum fine $2,500, or both.
“There is no crime more heinous than that which is committed against the most vulnerable victims, our children. Postal Inspectors remain committed to the investigation of child pornography and the protection of our nation’s youth,” said Adam P. Behnen, head Inspector of the Los Angeles Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Collins’ arrest comes on the heels of an April 16th LAUSD resolution to speed up the investigation process in cases of sexual abuse. According to a LAUSD press release, strict time lines will be set in which to determine innocence or guilt during sexual abuse cases as opposed to open-ended investigations of the past, which could last years. Teachers will now also be informed of their specific accusations unless it interferes with the investigation. Past instances have seen teachers pulled from their classrooms and taken to a different location without knowing why.
“Kids and taxpayers win when all adults accept their responsibility to protect the rights of children. LAUSD must have a process when criminal and inappropriate behavior occurs and is dealt with it effectively and efficiently. That is what the 99.5% of all law abiding, hard-working employees deserve,” Mónica García, Board President and a co-sponsor of the measure.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 877-876-2455 and reference Case No. 1945971.
Read More:
Daily News: Fernangeles Elementary teacher arrested in child-pornography charges
LA Times: L.A. Unified teacher arrested for alleged child porn possession
SCVNews: LAUSD Teacher from Valencia Arrested for Possession of Child Porn
