ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A 57-year-old teacher arrested on federal child porn charges was once teacher of the year at his elementary school in Orange County, Fla., records show.
The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday that, according to a March 2007 letter released by school district officials, second-grade teacher Robert Sewell Barth was once named teacher of the year at Cheney Elementary School.
Barth was arrested this week after investigators allegedly found at least 25 child pornography videos on his computer, along with more than 1,100 similar images.
The elementary school teacher has been on so-called relief of duty status from the school since December for unspecified reasons.
Federal prosecutor Bishop Ravenel alleges Barth, who has served as a foster parent to nearly 20 kids, viewed child pornography prior to attending work last December.
Ravenel also alleges Barth, who was released from jail following a detention hearing in Orlando Thursday, confessed following his arrest that he was addicted to pornography and previously purchased child pornography.
