Crime & Safety
Teacher Charged With Possessing Child Pornography Awaits Prosecution Announcement
William Morgan had a felony screening conference last week.
A Marblehead High teacher placed on administrative leave after being charged with possessing child pornography awaits possible prosecution in Rhode Island after a screening conference last week.
William Morgan, 30, of 18 Maverick St., Marblehead had a felony screening conference Dec. 4, in Warwick, RI at Third District Court.
Under the Rhode Island judicial system, a felony screening brings together the lawyers and a judge to discuss a case.
There, the case can be plea bargained if the defendent pleads guilty or does not contend the charges.
No such plea had been announced in the case of Morgan, as of Dec. 12, according to court files on the judiciary's website.
Morgan is represented by Public Defender Megan Jackson.
With no plea bargain at a felony screening, criminal charges can be brought forth to Superior Court in one of two ways, said a spokesman from the Rhode Island court media office.
One is via a grand jury indictment; and the other way is through a criminal information.
A criminal information functions like an indictment only it is brought forth — without being presented to a grand jury — by the state's Department of Attorney General, he said.
William Morgan was a new Marblehead High School physics teacher this fall.
He was among 11 people charged on Oct 31, by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
He was arraigned that same day at Third Division District Court, Warwick, Rhode Island.
Find out what's happening in Marbleheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
He was released on personal recognizance with special conditions to include no contact with minors and no access to the Internet, police said. He also waived extradition.
For more information about the task force charges click here.
Find out what's happening in Marbleheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Also on Oct. 31, Marblehead Superintendent Maryann Perry sent out a notice to parents stating that a new teacher in the high school had been charged with a crime in Rhode Island:
"This crime does not involve students in the Marblehead Public Schools," the superintendent said. "The teacher has been removed from the school and has been barred from any contact with Marblehead students and from accessing any Marblehead Public School buildings, property, and events. As always, the safety and welfare of our students is our highest priority and we take all precautions and measures necessary to protect our students. A qualified substitute will be covering the classes."
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