Police charged a former P.E. teacher at Chesapeake Bay Middle School in Pasadena Jan. 5 with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Gregory Alan Christy, 39, of northern Anne Arundel County was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and 10 counts of possession of child pornography after police executed a search warrant at his home in the 7000 block of Timberfield Place in April 2010 and several computers were confiscated.

Christy is an employee of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, having been reassigned from his most position at Rippling Woods to one that did not involve contact with children when the allegations first surfaced in early April 2010, said schools spokesman Bob Mosier.

"Upon hearing of the charges yesterday, the superintendent immediately suspended [Christy] from employment," Mosier said.

Rippling Woods parents were notified this morning that the school would be sending a letter home—in a sealed envelope—with their children this afternoon. They also were directed to the school's Web site so they could view the letter ahead of time and be better prepared to discuss the incident with their children, Mosier said.

"I am writing to let you know about a story involving a former Rippling Woods Elementary School staff member that will almost certainly garner some media attention in the coming days. It is my hope that this information will answer some of the questions you are likely to have and help you address this matter, should you choose to do so, with your child," said Rippling Woods principal Gwen Atkinson in the letter.

"It is important that you understand that we have no indication at this point that any of the charges against Mr. Christy involve conduct that took place on school property. However, the investigation is still ongoing. We are, of course, working closely with law enforcement agencies in this matter and will certainly update parents as warranted," Atkinson wrote.

Christy taught at Chesapeake Bay Middle from 1997-2002. He has been with the school system since 1996, and also taught at J. Albert Adams Academy in Annapolis and Old Mill Middle South in Millersville before joining Rippling Woods in August 2008, Mosier said.

Police responded to Christy's home April 5, 2010, for a report of child pornography. Upon arrival officers spoke with an adult subject who reported finding child pornography on Christy's personal computer, police said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a forensic examination on his computers that revealed numerous images of child pornography. Police said none of the victims in the images have been identified as Anne Arundel County residents, but Christy was charged with possessing images of children who had previously been identified as victims through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Those cases already have been adjudicated.

Police ask anyone with any additional information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division Child Abuse Unit at 410-222-3450.