Local elementary school teacher arrested for child pornography

A teacher at a local elementary school has been charged for child pornography after making inappropriate comments to a student.

On February 9, 2018 the New York State Police from the Wappinger barracks arrested Steven Schwartz, age 53, of Poughkeepsie, for six counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child, a class-E felony.
 
On January 26, 2018, State Police initiated an investigation into inappropriate comments made by a teacher to a student in the Wappingers Central School District. The incident was reported to have occurred at Fishkill Plains Elementary School where Schwartz is employed as a teacher.  

An investigation by the state police, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Child Advocacy Center and with assistance from the Wappinger Central School District, revealed that Schwartz possessed images of child pornography on personally owned electronic devices.
 
Schwartz was arraigned before the Town of Poughkeepsie Court and remanded to Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.  Schwartz is next scheduled to appear before the court on February 14, 2018, at 2:00pm.
 
Anyone with information concerning this investigation is asked to contact the New York State Police at 845-677-7300.