Jersey City Teacher Arrested for Child Pornography

Jersey City teacher arrested for alleged child pornography possession after Google alert triggered investigation and home search.

Jersey City High School Teacher Arrested for Alleged Child Pornography Possession

A 41-year-old English teacher at Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City has been arrested for alleged possession of child pornography following a tip-off from Google.

The teacher was identified as Alton F. Brown, who teaches at the arts magnet school.

According to a criminal complaint, Google reported that Brown uploaded a disturbing video containing child sexual abuse material to his cloud account. The incident led to his arrest on September 8.

Investigators obtained a warrant to search the account. Court documents said they found one photo and 42 videos containing child pornography.

Police subsequently searched Brown’s home, arrested him and seized two mobile phones, court papers said.

Jersey City Superintendent of Schools, Norma Fernandez, said the district acted immediately after learning of the allegations.

She said the district placed Brown on leave and "revoked all access to district facilities, electronic networks, and learning platforms."

She did not state whether the leave was paid or unpaid.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Brown, of Jersey City, was still listed on the school’s staff page.

Fernandez said, "The individual has not been active in his role during the current academic year."

In a statement, she said, "As student safety and well-being remain our highest priorities, the District will cooperate fully with law enforcement."

She added, "Because this concern involves an ongoing law enforcement inquiry and a confidential personnel issue, the District will refrain from offering additional comments presently."

Brown is charged with one count of knowing possession, viewing, or control of child sexual abuse material or child pornography.

He is due to appear in Hudson County court on Thursday.

Outside his teaching role, Brown also worked as a Zumba dance-exercise instructor at the Bethune Center in the Greenville neighbourhood of Jersey City.