Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges Resigns

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio —A local middle-school teacher and coach facing child pornography charges resigned Thursday.

Michael Highman, 43, of Upper Arlington was charged in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.

Highman is a teacher and boys basketball coach at Weaver Middle School in Hilliard.

The district spokesperson confirmed to NBC 4 that Highman resigned effective Monday, when the school board will meet and accept the resignation.

Highman also surrendered his state teaching license.

The schools had sought separation and the voluntary resignation simplifies that goal, the spokesperson said.

FBI agents investigating known child pornography sites identified Highman as a user of a site. 

Members of the FBI Columbus Cybercrimes Task Force searched his home Thursday, Oct. 15, and found thousands of images and movies of prepubescent teenage boys engaged in sexual acts, officials said.

Agents seized computer storage media allegedly containing images of child pornography.

Highman admitted he collected and distributed child pornography and said he preferred boys ages 8 to 14, according to the FBI.

Hilliard City Schools placed Highman on administrative leave pending further investigation. The district also said Highman was to have no contact with students.

Highman received an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King on Monday, Oct. 19.

Highman was released and ordered to wear an electronic monitor pending indictment.

Distribution of child pornography is punishable by at least five and as many as 20 years imprisonment.

Possession of child pornography is punishable by as many as 10 years imprisonment. Conviction would also require a defendant to register as a sex offender.

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