CHAMBERSBURG — A Chambersburg substitute teacher’s aide was arrested on child pornography charges last week, according to Pennsylvania State Police and the Chambersburg Area School District.
Scott Hambright, 26, of Greene Township, Franklin County, was charged with sexual abuse of children on Jan. 31 after a State Police investigation determined he was in possession of illegal images, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by State Police.
The Chambersburg Area School District acknowledged the arrest in a statement posted on its website Monday.
Brian Miller, communications and marketing director for the school district, later confirmed that Hambright was the substitute aide referred to in the district’s statement.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by police, Hambright allegedly admitted having a child pornography addiction while in therapy in December 2017, claiming he was engaging in live sexual video chats with female minors ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old.
The therapist told police Hambright admitted he was attracted to minors, the criminal complaint states.
In April 2018, police say, a search warrant was executed on Hambright’s residence and multiple electronic devices were seized. Forensic searches of the devices uncovered an estimated 1,950 searches for phrases relating to possible interactions with child pornography or online sex activity were found, police say.
In addition, eight images of child pornography were recovered from a iPod belonging to Hambright, police say.
The full statement from Chambersburg Area School District:
“Chambersburg Area School District (CASD) was informed by the Chambersburg State Police that a District substitute aide was arrested late January 31, 2019 for possession of child pornography. According to Trooper Lindsey H. Trace, the aide was arrested for possessing internet based images. The aide had previously worked for the CASD from December 4, 2017 until January 7, 2019 and was recently employed through a contracted service provider. At this time, the possession is believed to be limited to internet images.
“As an education organization dedicated to serving and nurturing students, we are deeply distressed to learn of these allegations,” said Dr. Joseph Padasak, CASD Superintendent. As required by Pennsylvania law, the substitute aid was subjected to the mandated background checks and clearances. The aide’s history showed no record at the time of hire.
“We want all of the CASD family to know we work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all our children,” said Dr. Padasak. “We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as they perform the investigation. The substitute aid is no longer employed by either the District or the service provider.”
