1st Grade Teacher, Camp Director Arrested on Child Porn Charges: DA

West Chester teacher possessed more than 500 pornographic images of kids, D.A. says.

A first grade teacher in West Chester and director of a local summer camp was arrested on charges of having hundreds of images of child pornography, authorities say.

David Devine, a first grade teacher for the West Chester Area School District and director of Camp Flying Hawk day camp, possessed more than 500 sexually explicit images of elementary-school-age children, according to Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green.

Devine, 34, taught first graders at Penn Wood Elementary for a year and a half, officials said. The district said Devine passed all required background tests before starting at the school.

"Devine’s clearances were completed prior to his employment," the district said in a statement. "No infractions were reported in these clearances, and we have had no reports of any improper conduct by Mr. Devine during his employment with the district."

School district officials say their Internet filtering system prevents anyone from accessing pornographic sites on school property.

Investigators were tipped off to Devine's alleged habits by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

It is unknown whether or not the photos are of any children with which Devine was in contact, but D.A. Green says there's no reason thus far to believe that to be the case.

In addition to working with young children, Devine lives across the street from Rose Tree Elementary School in Upper Providence Township, Pa. Neighbors say they didn't know him very well since he just moved into the area.

Devine was silent as he was led from the Delaware County courthouse Thursday. When asked about a tattoo on his right calf depicting a man walking with several young children, he had nothing to say.

Devine's profile on Camp Flying Hawk's website says, "David has 15 years of summer camp experience, teaching at both day and overnight summer camps."

"[Devine's] mission is to create a one-of-a-kind summer experience for your children," the website states.

Devine is charged with 500 counts of possessing child pornography. He is being held on $250,000 bail. If he is able to post 10-percent bail, he will be released, but must wear an electronic monitoring braclet and stay away from children.

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