George County School District athletics director released on bond after arrest on child porn charges
UPDATE (5:01 p.m.): The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office said a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to the arrest of George County School District Athletic Director Chris West, 51.
With the assistance of the George County Sheriff’s Office, West was arrested after a search warrant was conducted at his house Thursday morning.
West is charged with one count of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Distributing Child Pornography.
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A judge granted West $50,000 bonds on each charge, totaling to $100,000. West posted a bond and was released on Thursday afternoon.
“Any time we have any employee that has allegations made against them that are severe, and whatever the repercussions are moving forward, that has an impact on a district, regardless of the position that you hold,” GCSD Superintendent Wade Whitney said.
When asked if West has been placed on administrative leave, Whitney said that the school district is following state laws and the district’s policy of not commenting on personnel matters.
ORIGINAL STORY:
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WKRG) — The director of athletics for the George County School District has been arrested on two child pornography charges, according to the George County Sheriff’s Office.
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51-year-old Chris West of Lucedale was charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and GCSO executed a search warrant on West’s house Thursday morning. He was arrested afterward.
West was given a $50,000 commercial bond on each count and is being held in the George County Regional Correctional Facility.
According to George County Superintendent Wade Whitney, they were just made aware of the allegations against West and are “fully cooperating” with law enforcement.
“The safety and well-being of our students is always our paramount concern,” said Whitney. “As with any personnel matter, we cannot comment on the specifics of the situation at this time.”
The investigation is being led by the MAGO.
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“We remain committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and ensuring justice is served,” said George County Sheriff Mitchell Mixon.
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