University professor arrested for child pornography after IT department found files on work computer

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 61-year-old Gerald Myers has been placed on administrative leave from Louisiana State University following an arrest after files depicting child sexual abuse and the sexual abuse of animals were found on a computer that had been issued to him.

Myers had been hired by LSU in 1994 and worked in the agricultural department.

"After working with law enforcement, LSU was notified of the arrest of a faculty member in its AgCenter. The faculty member has been placed on administrative leave and is not to return to campus until there is a final determination of the case. Given the serious nature of the accusations, the AgCenter will be working with faculty and staff to ensure any necessary support opportunities are available," a statement from the university read.

Myers was arrested on Friday, December 10 and was released from custody on Monday, December 13 on $82,000 bail.

Preliminary charges include possession of pornography involving juveniles, sexual abuse of an animal and possession of marijuana.

According to WBRZ law enforcement has indicated that more charges are likely to be filed within St. Gabriel and New Orleans pending the results of searches conducted within those jurisdictions.

The investigation into Myers began on Thursday, December 9 when the IT department at the LSU AgCenter reported to LSU police that they had located files on a computer with "names that alarmed them."

The names of the files seemed to indicate possible child sexual abuse including names, ages and sex acts.

The IT staff identified 50 potential files that "seemed pornographic in nature" as well as indications that an external hard drive had been attached to the computer leading investigators to believe files may have been transferred.

The following day, investigators showed up with search warrants for Myers' office in Sturgis Hall, his vehicle, and his homes.

A search of his office resulted in locating an encrypted hard drive with child sexual abuse material, some of which investigators had seen in previous investigations. The children involved ranged in ages between infants and pre-teens.

Files were also located which showed horses, dogs, and other animals being sexually abused.

Within his vehicle, investigators located a jar of what appeared to be marijuana.