A principal at a Brevard County elementary school was arrested Friday morning, accused of having child porn on his computer.

  • Ricky Sheppard was arrested Friday morning for child pornography
  • Sheppard was principal at Spessard Holland Elementary School
  • Brevard Public Schools terminated his employement Friday

Brevard County Sheriff's Office said they had been investigating Ricky Sheppard, 59, for three days. They did not say what tipped them off to his illegal activity.

They did, however, say he'd had problems at previous jobs. There was a report made in 1999 about his conduct with students.

"There is an official written reprimand in his record for inappropriate gifts and comments made to a first grade student," said Superintendent Desmond Blackburn.

Sheppard is currently principal at Spessard Holland Elementary School.

"I'm sickened by it," said Sheriff Wayne Ivey. "I look at this case and I find it hard to believe that anyone could be this demented."

The district was notified Friday morning of Sheppard's arrest. Officials say they terminated his employment that morning.

Sheppard made his first federal court appearance in Orlando. where they say he could face anywhere up to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervision.
 
"Allegations of this nature represent perhaps the highest violation of trust by people who are supposed to safeguard our children, our educators," Blackburn said. "So this is extremely important to us."

At this time, the sheriff's office says they are investigating whether there may have been any local victims. But currently they say the charges against him are only for possession of child pornography.