AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS (WWLP) - A longtime teacher at Amherst Regional High School and Middle School was arrested at his home Tuesday morning. Fifty-nine-year old Ronald Garney has been a 9th grade science teacher for over 20 years in Amherst, but Tuesday police allegedly found some very disturbing materials at his home. Now Garney faces up to 15 years in prison. The investigation began in 2004, and initially targeted a members-only child pornography website, which featured kids between 2 and 12 years of age. After taking the site down, law enforcement turned their attention to its members, which led them to Ron Garney, a teacher in the town of Amherst for the last two decades. Garney was arrested without incident in his home on Tuesday morning, and charged with possession of illegal pornographic material. "Mr. Garney did acknowledge to investigators that he was aware that the material he possessed was illegal" said Northwest District Assistant District Attorney Michael Cahillane. That material is now being looked at by state police. However, Garney pleaded not guilty to three counts of possession of child pornography. Neighbors of the Amherst science teacher said Garney has never done anything to indicate that he might harm their children. Garney has been suspended with pay by Amherst High School. Police told the town's superintendent that the material seized at Garney's residence appears to have no link to students there. So far, nobody has connected the illegal materials to the students Garney taught. Wednesday night, the Amherst police chief and superintendent will hold a community meeting in the high school cafeteria at 7 o'clock to address any questions or concerns.
