BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The principal of a Florida elementary school has been arrested on child pornography charges.
Ricky Sheppard, 59, of Melbourne, was arrested Thursday after a search warrant was served at his home.
Sheppard is the principal of Spessard Holland Elementary School in Satellite Beach. The school district has been notified of the arrest and Sheppard has been placed on administrative leave.
Investigators are still sifting through more than 1,100 files that they call "child notable."
Sheppard has been with Brevard County Schools since 1981. He was a teacher and assistant principal at six different schools.
In 1999, Sheppard was reprimanded at Gemini Elementary for excessively giving gifts to a first-grader and making inappropriate statements to him.
"Honestly, words can't express just how saddened and disgusted I am," said Dr. Desmond Blackburn, Brevard County Schools superintendent.
Blackburn told WESH that he wants him to be fired.
If convicted, Sheppard could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
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