Former RHS teacher indicted for child porn
Federal grand jury accuses Bo Scallon of possessing 150 photos of minors

HAROLD SCALLON

Harold Earl (Bo) Scallon, 60, a former Rusk High School English teacher and drama coach, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distribution and possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

If convicted, he could receive a sentence of imprisonment up to 20 years and a fine not to exceed $250,000 for each count.

The indictment alleges that on July 6, 2007, Mr. Scallon possessed at his residence a personal computer which allegedly contained visual depictions involving minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The computer was seized that day by law enforcement officers using a federal search warrant. A forensic analysis of the computer by law enforcement officers revealed visual depictions of more than 150 images involving minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

An FBI task force in Longview investigated charges of child pornography against Mr. Scallon.

The Cherokeean Herald learned Sept. 10 that the incident was being handed over to U.S. Eastern District Attorney John L. Ratcliffe.

Rusk ISD Superintendent Dr. Jim Largent confirmed in September that a long-time teacher had resigned the previous week. He did not identify the teacher or state the reason for the resignation.

"There have been no complaints from anyone associated with Rusk ISD. As far as I know, no charges have been filed and no one has been arrested," Dr. Largent said at that time.

2 other teachers previously

indicted by FBI

Two other teachers in Cherokee County have been investigated in less than a year. In June 2007, a 23-year-old Jacksonville man who formerly worked as a youth minister at Tyler Street Baptist Church and as a music instructor at Jacksonville Christian Academy, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for possession of more than 600 images of child pornography on his computer.

Josh Allen's conviction carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Another Rusk teacher, Brian Edward Basse, 34, was indicted by a Cherokee County grand jury in March and charged with two second degree felonies, indecency with a child and improper relationship between an educator and student. He was a teacher in Rusk at the time of his arrest.

This cases against Mr. Allen and Mr. Scallon are part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC). In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.

For information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www. projectsafechildhood.gov/ .