BELMONT, MA - A 45-year-old teacher and camp counselor has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, authorities with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) announced.
In a press release, MSP said that its Cyber Crime Unit Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force worked with Crime Services and the Belmont Police Department (BPD) to arrest Belmont resident Leon Dyer for "two counts of possession of child pornography." Dyer was arrested on Saturday, July 25.
Police have not specified details about what led to Dyer's arrest. He was scheduled to appear at Cambridge District Court on Monday, July 27, PEOPLE reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
Jill Geiser, Belmont Public School Superintendent of Schools, confirmed that Dyer has been banned from school property, and his school-issued technology accounts have been suspended. Dyer worked at the middle school, where he taught technology education.
"We have no information at this time to suggest that this individual engaged in any inappropriate conduct with BPS students, on BPS property, or otherwise in connection with his employment with BPS,” Geiser said, adding that she would share further information with the school community whenever possible. The superintendent also confirmed that Dyer was screened and underwent regular reviews, including criminal record checks.
Mark Strong, a parent whose daughter was taught by Dyer, said that he was "shocked" by the teacher's arrest and concerned about the access he had to students' photographs.
"It made me a little worried,” he said. “[Dyer] also conducted the trips to Washington, D.C., with the kids. He had a huge hand in the yearbook. So, pictures coming to him of all of the kids, all of the students."
Dyer also worked at a camp in Middleboro. Police did not identify the camp, but Dyer's LinkedIn lists him as a head counselor and camp administrator at Camp Avoda, a Jewish boys' overnight camp. "We’re aware of the situation... We’re cooperating with the authorities, and they’ve told us there’s no evidence of any campers being involved with the case," an employee from the camp said in a statement.
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