Former Teacher In Vernon Facing Child Porn And Voyeurism Charges

VERNON, CT — A former teacher at Rockville High School has been charged in connection with what police are describing as a lengthy child pornography and voyeurism investigation.

Vernon police Monday served three arrest warrants charging 52-year-old Christian Stevenson with importing child pornography, second-degree illegal possession of child pornography, eight counts of voyeurism, nine counts of disorderly conduct, four counts of voyeurism with a child younger than 16 and four counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Vernon Patch inquired, pursuant to Connecticut Freedom of Information Law, access to Stevenson's disciplinary records and the file shows no prior infractions. He submitted a letter of resignation from his teaching job Sept. 15, the day school officials were notified of the investigation, records show.

The heavily redacted arrest warrants were issued shortly after the arrest.

Vernon police began the investigation after being tipped off by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about illicit images being downloaded via email accounts traced to Stevenson, according to the warrants.

In September, a search warrant was executed at his home in Vernon, police said. After a "digital forensic exam" of seized items, he "possessed child pornography and voyeuristic images," police said.

Some of the voyeuristic images were of clothed female students, taken without their knowledge, according to one of the warrants. Though they were not pornographic in nature, they were clearly taken in places like classrooms, hallways, the library and at events, according to the warrant. A zoom lens was often used, according to the warrant. He is also identified as a coach in the warrants.

"Hundreds" of photos were taken inside the school, according to warrants.

Stevenson was initially held on a $300,000 court-set bond and that was reduced to $25,000 for each of the three warrants after his arraignment Monday afternoon, judicial system records indicate. He did not post bail and is due back in court on Nov. 5, records show.

Police continue to investigate and ask that anyone with information about the incident call Vernon Police Detective Thomas Van Tasel at 860-872-9126.

Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary issued the following statement:

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. Vernon Public Schools expects all staff to strictly adhere to the district’s high standards of professional conduct and code of ethics.

"On September 15, 2021 Vernon Public Schools was notified by the Vernon Police Department that Rockville High School teacher Christian Stevenson was the subject of a police investigation. Upon learning this information, Vernon Public Schools took immediate action and placed Mr. Stevenson on administrative leave. Mr. Stevenson resigned his employment the same day and is no longer an employee of Vernon Public Schools.

"There is an on-going investigation and the district is working cooperatively with the Vernon Police Department. Due to the on-going police investigation, any further inquiries should be forwarded to the Vernon Police Department."