St. Paul teacher indicted on child porn charges

by Madeleine Baran and Tom Weber

St. Paul, Minn. — A former St. Paul special education teacher has been indicted in federal court for allegedly coercing two children to pose for pornographic photos.

Gregg Alan Larsen, a former high school teacher for the St. Paul school district, allegedly took the photos between April and July 2006, according to an indictment filed under seal Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

The indictment alleges that Larsen, 49, also used his computer to distribute graphic images of children engaged in sexual conduct, including very young children, and possessed more than 100,000 pornographic images of children.

Larsen had worked for the St. Paul school district since 2003, most recently as a special educationteacher at Central High School.

St. Paul Public Schools spokesman Howie Padilla said the district first learned of the allegations last summer and kept Larsen out of a classroom this school year. Larsen formally resigned earlier this month.

Padilla said the district will contact families in coming days with more information.

The school district and U.S. Attorney's office declined to state whether the alleged victims were Larsen's students.

Larsen has been charged with two counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. He faces up to 90 years in prison, if convicted.