DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. -
Charges were announced Tuesday against a former Delaware County School principal accused of having dozens of images of child pornography.
According to investigators and the U.S. Attorney's Office, charges were filed against Troy Czukoski, 42, of Exton.
Czukoski is the former principal of Springton Lake Middle School and Phoenixville Area Middle School in Chester County.
Investigators say a search of his home in October of 2012 led them to between 150 and 300 pictures and video of children engaging in sexually-explicit activities. During the search, investigators say 47 CD's and DVDs along with two flash drives were taken from the home.
"Right now he's charged with one count of possession of child pornography. In the charges there's at least 150 images" Asst. U.S. Attorney Michelle Rotella said.
Parents of students at Springton Lake tell us they received a recorded telephone message at home Tuesday night telling them of the charges. Administrators at Phoenixville Middle School tell us a letter was sent home explaining the situation. Although there is no indication any of Czukoski's students were found in the images, prosecutors say they have not identified all of the victims.
In a statement from the Rose Tree Media School District, where Czukoski worked, the superintendent called the news disappointing.
"Early this morning we were disappointed to learn from the U.S. Attorney's office that Dr. Troy Czukoski, the former principal of Springton Lake Middle School, has been charged with the possession of images of children engaging in sexual explicit conduct,'" the statement read.
The principal was mysteriously suspended from his new job at the school in October.
Rumors swirled as to why he was taken off the job.
"Of course we thought a lot of different things. Drugs. Child pornography. We thought the worst. Glad we know now," said parent Diane Wilson.
No one was home when FOX 29 knocked on Czukoski's well manicured Exton home. Neighbors tell us the husband and father were well liked.
"Nobody would have pictured this to happen. Not in this community. Not to this family" said Sarah Alexander who lives across the street from Czukoski.
A statement sent on behalf of Czukoski says the former principal will plead guilty to possessing images that "he has learned are prohibited, and he accepts responsibility for possessing these images."
The statement also claims Czukoski is an adult survivor of childhood sex abuse.
"He has suffered for many years from the after-effects of horrific abuse which occurred when he was a child, and which he first disclosed to federal agents when they searched his home in October of 2012," the statement read.
Czukoski is free pending his first appearance in federal court. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
You can read the full statement here.
Dr. Troy Czukoski was charged with possession of child porn, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.
