Tampering Charges Added To Vernon Teacher Voyeurism/Porn Case: PD

VERNON, CT — A tampering charge has been added to the case of a former teacher at Rockville High School implicated in a lengthy child pornography and voyeurism investigation and another $75,000 was added to his bond total, authorities said.

A warrant served Friday on Christian Stevenson, 52, also added a first-degree child pornography possession charge.

Court records show that Stevenson is accused of trying to hide illicit images with a third internet account after two had been suspended by his provider amid the investigation.

Stevenson last month was served three arrest warrants by Vernon police charging him 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.

Each warrant carried a bond of $25,000 and Friday's $75,000 doubled the total to $150,000. Stevenson remained in custody Monday morning and is scheduled to return to Rockville Superior Court on Dec. 17.

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.

Warrants show Vernon police began the investigation into his activities 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 female students, taken without their knowledge, according to one of the warrants. Though the subjects of the photos were clothed, 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 former golf coach in the warrants.

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