Job interview leads to child porn allegations against Humble ISD police officer

HUMBLE, Texas – A Humble Independent School District police officer applying for a position in the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office is facing child pornography charges after investigators said red flags were raised during the job interview process.

Jeffrey Warren Clark, 48, an Humble ISD nighttime patrol officer, is charged with ten counts of possession of child pornography.

Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said Clark applied for a position in his office and during a background check, interview and polygraph test, investigators raised red flags that Clark might have been involved in child porn.

During the background investigation, Precinct 4 said Clark admitted to viewing sexually explicit images of children.

VIDEO: Constable speaks on child porn charges

A search warrant was issued for entry into Clark's residence in the 14600 block of Logan Lane Wednesday night and Herman said thousands of images of child pornography were recovered from electronic devices at the home.

"Some of the statements that he made alarmed investigators to consult our district attorney, which our DA felt gave us probable cause to get a search warrant and search his house, and it obviously was all on track with what our premonition was telling us, and we recovered hundreds of images of child pornography," Herman said.

He added that he's never seen anything like this in his more than 30 years in law enforcement.

Clark turned himself into authorities on Friday afternoon. His bond was set at $75,000.

“It’s just unimaginable someone who’s entrusted with the care of your children could be so off in their mind like that,” Jennifer Swangeler said.

Community members in Humble said they’re disappointed Clark was around children.

“It’s kind of alarming to think that your kids are going to a school and that somebody who’s supposed to be protecting them and making sure they’re safe is looking at explicit images,” Brianna McMahon said.

Humble ISD released a statement Friday morning that read in part:

"Nighttime patrol officers do not interact with students on a regular basis. He was hired in July 2015 and on August 2, 2017 he was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Humble ISD will continue to work with Precinct 4 in this matter."

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