Mass. gym teacher facing child porn charges

Stephen M. McDonough, a 60-year-old gym teacher from Massachusetts, has been charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography. Authorities launched an investigation after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted them to suspicious online activity linked to McDonough. State Police discovered incriminating material on his phone and at his residence, leading to his arrest. McDonough pleaded not guilty to the charges on September 26 and remains in Middlesex County Jail on a $25,000 cash bail.

Given McDonough's access to children, the urgency of the investigation heightened. Local schools in Belmont and Waltham were notified of the situation to ensure student safety. McDonough's case has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for October 22, further underscoring the legal proceedings' seriousness. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation in educational environments.