Published: April 03, 2008 05:39 pm            

Police: Teacher admits to taking nude photos of child

Prosser teacher accused of sodomy

Prosser School of Technology teacher Mark D. Yarmey is in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections Jail, accused of sodomizing and taking nude photos of an 11-year-old girl.

The accusations stem from an incident that allegedly happened nine years ago. In the police report, the now 20-year-old victim said her mother stood by as Yarmey took nude photographs of her. She said her mother than left, leaving her with Yarmey. The victim said Yarmey, 52, then forced her to perform oral sex on him.

“Through the course of the investigation, we received photographic evidence,” said Phil Russell, public information officer with Louisville Metro Police Department. “That made us question him and he admitted to it (taking the photos).”

The report states that during the interview, Yarmey admitted to taking the photos that were shown to him and when asked if he took the nude ones, he said, “If they were in the same series, then I took them.”

He was arrested Wednesday and booked on two charges, first-degree sodomy and use of a minor in a sexual performance. Both are felony counts and he is scheduled to be arraigned today.

Bill Briscoe — assistant to the superintendent for administration and operations at New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. — would not answer questions at a press conference Thursday afternoon, citing privacy issues dealing with employees. However, he did say that the corporation has started an internal investigation and is working with the police.

Briscoe said Yarmey is on paid leave until the investigation is complete and then the corporation will take the appropriate actions.

If convicted, Russell said Yarmey could face 10 to 20 years for the sodomy charge and 20 or more years for the use of a minor in a sexual performance charge.

According to the Indiana Department of Education Web site, Yarmey first received a teaching license in 1994. However, the Web site does state that he has 17 years of experience. It also says he teaches electronics technology to junior and senior high school students.

Russell said police are investigating to see if there are any more victims. He asked anyone with information to call LMPD at 502-574-LMPD.

        

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