Merrimack College Professor Arrested For Child Porn

CBS Boston
September 19, 2014

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/09/19/merrimack-college-professor-arrested-for-child-porn/

BOSTON (CBS) – A Merrimack College professor was arrested Friday for possession of child pornography. Gary S. Spring, 61, of Danvers, was the chairman of the college’s Civil Engineering Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Merrimack College, in North Andover, uncovered suspicious activity on one of the school’s loaner computers in June.

An internal investigation determined that the computer had been loaned out to Spring, and that Spring had been logged on when virus threat detection alerts were triggered. Further investigation determined that the computer was used to access child pornography.

Search warrants were executed at Spring’s office at Merrimack and his Danvers home. Spring was arrested after it was confirmed that he possessed child pornography.

The college says Spring was placed on administrative leave at the beginning of the investigation and was terminated on Friday.

“The Merrimack College community is saddened by these disturbing allegations,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “The college remains confident in the legal process, and stands firm in the knowledge that Mr. Spring is not reflective of the institution, its members and its core values.”

Spring was also the administrator of the college’s residential summer camp for middle and high school aged children.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, five years to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.