Ladson Man Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Charges

A former private school teacher and award-winning composer facing multiple child pornography charges pleaded not guilty Monday, according to Myrtle Beach Online. 

Fernando Rivas, 59, of Ladson was arrested in April for allegedly making child pornography, possessing child pornography and sending the images across state lines via the Internet. 

According to the Myrtle Beach Online story, Rivas allegedly coerced a child under 18 years old to "engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of taking pictures" in 2010 and 2011. The New York Daily News reports that Rivas' alleged victim was a four-year-old girl who was placed in handcuffs.

Rivas' personal website has been removed, but his biography can be viewed via cache. 

Prior to the alleged incident, Rivas was worked as a jazz music instructor at Porter-Gaud from 2002 until 2009, according to the biography. He has won two Emmys and a Grammy for his children's music.