Belmont Teacher Barred From Campus After Posting Bail On Child Pornography Charges

BELMONT, MA — A middle school teacher charged with possessing child pornography has been barred from school property after posting bail, as school officials say investigators have found no evidence that district students were involved in the alleged activity.

Leon Dyer, 45, who has worked for Belmont Public Schools since 2007, was arrested this past Saturday by the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with assistance from the Belmont Police Department and State Police Crime Scene Services. Dyer, a technology education teacher at Belmont Middle School, is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography after investigators alleged he downloaded images containing child pornography. Superintendent Jill Geiser said investigators have found no evidence that Dyer created the material or that Belmont Public Schools students or members of the Belmont community were involved in the alleged activity.

As a condition of his release, he is prohibited from entering any Belmont Public Schools property, including school buildings and athletic fields. The district has also revoked his access to school accounts. He is scheduled to return to Cambridge District Court on Thursday, Sept. 17.

"I have also read news reports indicating that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted the Massachusetts State Police about certain files connected to Mr. Dyer in January 2026," Geiser said in a statement. "We do not have any independent information on that report; however, I want to be clear that the Belmont Public Schools did not have any knowledge about those reports or concerns with Mr. Dyer until I was alerted of his arrest this past weekend."

The superintendent said law enforcement has told the district it will immediately notify Belmont Police if any evidence involving Belmont students emerges. She added the district has asked state and local investigators to continue sharing relevant information as the case progresses.

Dyer has worked in the district for nearly two decades and has advised or participated in several student clubs and extracurricular activities during that time. Geiser said Belmont Public Schools never received complaints alleging illegal conduct or behavior inconsistent with his role, nor did Belmont Police receive reports of wrongdoing involving him.

The district also conducted regular Criminal Offender Record Information background checks on Dyer throughout his employment. According to Geiser, each of those background checks came back without any criminal history.

State Police have also identified Dyer as a counselor at Camp Avoda in Middleborough. Camp officials said they are cooperating with investigators and have been informed there is no evidence that any campers were involved in the case. The investigation remains active.

Belmont Public Schools will host a hybrid community forum on Monday, Aug. 3, at 4 p.m. in the Selectboard Conference Room at Town Hall. District leaders and Belmont Police representatives are expected to answer questions and provide any additional information available. A virtual option will also be offered for residents who wish to participate remotely, however a direct link is not yet available.

"The safety and well-being of our students will always remain our highest priority," Geiser said. "Although we do not yet have a complete understanding of this matter, we will continue to share what information we have when we can."