A Charlotte-Mecklenburg middle school teacher was arrested Tuesday on child pornography charges, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
A news release sent Wednesday confirms that Adrian Wayne Taylor of Matthews, who was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with three felony counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, is a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee.
The CMPD cyber crimes unit began investigating a report of possession and distribution of illegal pornographic material in November, the release says. Those officers, assisted by Matthews police, executed a search warrant Tuesday and arrested Taylor.
CMS says Taylor, who has been a language arts teacher at Community House Middle School in south Charlotte since 2005, was suspended with pay Tuesday. Taylor has worked for CMS since 2005, having taught at two other schools — J.T. Williams Middle from 2005-2007 and Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology from 2007-2014.
The principal of Community House Middle School in south Charlotte sent a message to parents Tuesday saying criminal charges had been brought against a teacher but provided no more details.
"An active investigation is underway by law enforcement, and CMS will cooperate fully with investigators," Principal Brian Slattery wrote to parents. "I take these matters very seriously and will be working with law enforcement to address them in a manner that ensures the well-being of all students and is in accordance with district policies."
Neither CMS nor police have said whether students were involved in the incidents Taylor is accused of.
