Former USC educator pleads guilty to possessing child pornography

Published 7:01 pm Monday, December 11, 2017

A retired United South Central educator charged after he was reportedly found with at least 500 images and videos of child pornography in March pleaded guilty Monday in Faribault County District Court.

John Marvin Degner, 67, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography. He did not enter a plea to five additional counts of possessing child pornography and two counts of disseminating child pornography.

John Marvin Degner

Court documents state Degner was charged after the Wells Police Department and Faribault County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Internet Crimes Against Children Unit with an investigation March 10.

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An IP address was linked to Degner’s email and phone number.

Court documents state law enforcement conducted a search warrant of Degner’s home that day. Degner reportedly admitted that a flash drive found in his bedroom contained a combination of at least 500 videos and images of child pornography.

Court documents state a preliminary search of Degner’s laptop found images of child pornography involving boys ages 7 to 14.

Degner was a longtime USC educator and retired as technology director in spring 2016.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17.

Degner is expected to be placed on probation and receive a stayed of imposition sentence, meaning if he successfully completes probation, his conviction will be deemed a misdemeanor.

 

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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