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CMS elementary teacher accused of having child porn

Some Charlotte parents received a disturbing phone call from Charlotte-Mecklenburg School officials on the eve of the first day of school.  

The automated call explained that a fifth-grade teacher at Polo Ridge Elementary had been arrested.

Timothy Scott Olson, 50, faces charges for allegedly having child pornography.

Olson was arrested on Aug. 13 after a federal search warrant was served at his home in Monroe. He's charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

  • CLICK PLAY to hear Superintendent Ann Clark comment on the investigation:

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The arrest warrant, obtained by Channel 9 Monday, said Olson had pictures and videos on electronic devices.  Some showed images of a 7- to 9-year-old girl engaged in sex acts with an adult male.

He was arrested by Monroe police as part of an operation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Olson was released on a $10,000 bond.

Channel 9 went by his home Monday, but no one came to the door.  

Parents picking up their children at Polo Ridge had heard about the charges from school officials and trusted them to handle it.

"I mean, it does concern me, but I believe that CMS will handle it appropriately as it should be," Jo Rinker said.

CMS released a statement about the arrest. Part of it said the school itself is not involved in the case.

"We have not been advised that the investigation is connected in any way to the teacher's responsibilities or employment with CMS," school officials said.

Grandparent Joyce Engebrecht, who was picking up a child, said the arrest is sad, but not surprising.

“We're living in a world where a lot of these things are happening, but it just makes me feel good to know that the school's on top of it," she said.

District officials said Olson has been teaching in CMS since 2012 and court documents show he has no criminal record in North Carolina.  

Olson is on paid suspension while this investigation is ongoing.  CMS said that suspension is indefinite, pending the results of the police investigation.


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