History professor arrested, accused of downloading child pornography
Photo: Laird Easton / Butte County Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Laird Easton, a history professor at California State University, Chico, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography.
Authorities began investigating Easton, 64, earlier this year, developing evidence that he was downloading child pornography and ultimately obtaining an arrest warrant.
On January 21, detectives served a search warrant at Easton’s Citrus Avenue home, as well as his office on campus. Upon seizing Easton’s mobile phone, detectives reportedly found over 100 images of child pornography.
Detectives also confiscated multiple other electronic devices belonging to Easton for forensic examination.
Easton was arrested the same day the search warrants were served. He has since been booked at the Butte County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment on April 9.
