Kern Valley Sun
Paul Monk, of Lake Isabella, is facing federal charges of having child pornography on his computer.
Monk, 37, was arrested at his home Sept. 11, but has been released as part of a pretrial condition, according to U.S. Attorney David Gappa.
 Paul Monk |
The criminal complaint alleges that in March, 2005, Kathy Free, a Paypal/Ebay Security Supervisor, contacted FBI agents advising them that a Paypal account associated with Monk attempted to purchase entrée to a pay-for-access website that sells images of child pornography. After Paypal discovered that Monk’s account was used to attempt to access the child porn site, Monk’s account was frozen.
Based on information provided by Free, FBI agents subpoenaed Paypal for information associated with Monk’s account. The results of the subpoena yielded Monk’s personal information, i.e. email address, home address, and telephone number, court records show.
The federal complaint goes on to say that on March 15, 2006 FBI agents went to Monk’s home to interview him. Monk denied downloading the child pornography, explaining that he allowed students at the community college to use his computer; perhaps they had downloaded the material. Agents seized the computer and found “numerous images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, ” according to the court documents.
FBI agents returned to Monk’s home on Sept. 11 for another interview. Agents advised Monk that analysis of his computer indicated that whoever was accessing the child pornography had continual access to the computer over a prolonged period of time and at odd hours, the court documents said.
Accounting to the complaint, during the interview Monk stated, “I did it. I downloaded the CP (child pornography). There are lots of sites out there filled with this stuff. I made a mistake. I admit it.” Monk said he began downloading the child pornography after he got divorced, and that he was in a deep depression. He claimed he downloaded the child porn for a period of about 18 months.
In June, 1999, Monk received accolades for his passionate style of teaching and his ability to “make history come alive” for students. He was named Teacher of the Year by Cerro Coso and the Kern Valley Exchange Club. In September 2006 Monk was hired, in addition to his adjunct faculty responsibilities, as a part-time Educational Advisor.
Last Friday, Cerro Coso administrators issued a statement to news media regarding Monk. “It is our understanding that Mr. Paul Monk is facing criminal charges in Federal Court. Mr. Monk is on paid administrative leave while the case is pending, in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and the California Education Code. The College District requires all of its employees to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.”
“The process is now in the hands of the Federal Courts,” stated Dr. Mary Retterer, President of Cerro Coso Community College.
According to Gappa, Monk faces up to 20 years for receipt of child pornography with a five-year minimum and up to 10 years for possession of the material, with a $250,000 maximum fine for each count.
Monk is scheduled for a hearing in U.S. District Court in Fresno on Oct. 10, according to Gappa.
Please click on link to see notification of complaint. http://www.kvsun.com/pdf/Monk08.pdf
Comments
21 comment(s)Chris wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:04 PM:
You sound just like those people who say that boys who watch pornographic videos grow up to be rapists. This is a grown man who is capable of making rational lucid decisions. I play video games on a fairly regular basis, several of which involve a fair amount of shooting...am I going to become a murderer? "
Chris wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:02 PM:
Your children are safer? Paul is nowhere near being a child sex offender, nor is he the type of person who would be. This isn't even something he does on a regular basis, or he wouldn't have been caught so easily. You're blowing things out of proportion. And don't involve your children because it has nothing to do with them. Maybe you should spend more time worrying about the hundreds of registered sex offenders in the valley. Check out the Megan's Law list sometime and tell me how safe you feel now. "
Chris wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:57 PM:
Am I saying that it's okay for him to do? Not at all. But I would really like to know how it's anybody's business. Anybody who knows Paul knows that he's a very nice man who wouldn't hurt anyone. His actions don't make him a sex offender, just like how watching slasher films doesn't make someone a murderer. "
Chris wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:57 PM:
And I know several of them personally, so this isn't just speculation on my part. I hate to stereotype, but a lot of guys who are into Magic and D&D are also known for looking at kinky and questionable material. I'm not saying that this applies to everyone, of course...my wife and I certainly don't fit this stereotype. Unlike you, I personally think it's harsh to sentence someone to jail and fine them for looking at pictures and videos.
CONTINUED... "
Chris wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:55 PM:
Where does it say that he paid people to hurt children? This isn't like a fast food restaurant; he didn't place an order. He accessed something that is already widely available. It was stupid, however, to pay for something that is free all over the internet (not that I'm condoning it; just making an observation). Also, I'm not surprised because of some of the people he associates himself with. Many of the kids he plays Magic: The Gathering with partake in such actions.
CONTINUED... "
JESSICA wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:53 PM:
Tracy wrote on Oct 13, 2008 1:35 PM:
In many cases, viewing children engaged in lewd acts is just the begining. Often, it leads to actual acting out upon a child.
Kern River Valley is indeed swarming with released child rapists, and we as parents/grandparents have the right to know who they are.
Not to cause the criminals harm, but to protect are own.
Wake up Kern River Valley. "
triumph110 wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:40 AM:
disapointedformerstudent wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:50 AM:
Laura wrote on Oct 5, 2008 9:22 AM:
Why wasn't it tracked and taken down?
maybe it's a lure; they were fishing.
The FBI quotes the teacher as admitting a crime. There was no warrant, he complies. Something wrong with this picture?
I am horrified that anyone would want to see children having sex; but apparently the FBI has been letting this happen for a long time. Where is their responsibility?
Maybe Paypal will find FBI@yahoo.com; the subscribers. "
Kat wrote on Oct 3, 2008 1:16 AM:
Madmom wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:02 AM:
disgusted wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:30 AM:
So I just don't get it. I am going to have to agree with Samantha, I too love this "hillbilly town", and to even suggest that we don't have morals because of that, and that we don't believe in "innocent until proven guilty" is just ignorant on your part. He admitted that he did it!!What more do you want? "
public viewer wrote on Oct 1, 2008 8:46 AM:
Samantha wrote on Sep 30, 2008 9:05 AM:
If he's innocent, the courts will find that. You're right, it's terrible that an accusation of this means pretty much the end for any man. But he *admitted* to it. That's about as much as anyone needs. Maybe he confessed under duress, I don't know. If it turns out that way I will publicly apologize. And I love the hillbilly town jab, as if this wouldn't happen everywhere else in the country. In a city there would be people camped on his doorstep.
(You are is you're by the way.) "
you think your better wrote on Sep 28, 2008 9:03 AM:
Samantha wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:20 AM:
I'd also like to know how you think it's not surprising, when everyone I've spoken to is still in shock about it.
Anyone who wants to can feel free to email me. I am sick over this whole thing. "
Matt wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:52 PM:
THAT came out of left field.
i just saw the guy.
Didnt know this stuff was going on. "
Chris wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:05 PM:
Samantha wrote on Sep 25, 2008 5:59 PM:
Janet wrote on Sep 25, 2008 1:19 AM: