'Teacher Of The Year' Caught In Child Sex Sting

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A Maryland middle school teacher who had been awarded a statewide teacher-of-the-year honor has been charged after being caught in an online child sex sting, Fairfax County Police say.

The investigation began on Aug. 31 when the suspect contacted a detective posing as a 14-year-old boy. Police say the suspect asked for sexual contact and sent sexually explicit images likely of himself.

Police contacted Maryland authorities once Kenneth Brian Fischer, 39, of Westminster, Maryland, was identified as the suspect. Fischer is a teacher at Westminster West Middle School. Since 2000, he worked as a teacher and administrator at other Carroll County public schools, including North Carroll High School, Winters Mill High School Francis Scott Key High School, Manchester Valley High School, Sykesville Middle School and Mt. Airy Middle School.

Fischer was arrested and charged with four counts of solicitation of a minor Wednesday when authorities searched his home with a warrant. He is being held at Carroll County Detention Center and is awaiting extradition to Virginia pending a hearing. He has not been charged in Maryland.

The Maryland State Department of Education awarded Fischer with a "Teacher of the Year" award in 2006 as a biology teacher at Winter Mills High School.

Evidence including electronic and digital data storage devices have been turned over to the Fairfax County Police. Investigators are conducting digital forensic analysis on the devices.

Police believe there could be other victims in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Anyone with information about Fischer is asked to contact the Major Crimes Bureau's Child Exploitation Unit at 703-246-7800, Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or online through Crime Solvers.

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Image via Maryland State Police