Santa Rosa teacher arrested on child porn charges

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- Ethan Monroe Morse, a 39 year-old substitute teacher in the Santa Rosa School District, was arrested on child pornography charges.

Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, in a joint operation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security, served a search warrant at Morse's residence on Camellia Court in Santa Rosa.

The investigation begin earlier in October when Morse began communicating by text with an adult female.

During the texting, he sent the woman photos of young girls between the ages of 9 and -10, who were in various poses. None of the photos were child pornography, but the suspect made several sexual comments regarding the photos.

These comments caused the woman great concern so she contacted Homeland Security's national tip line.

During the search warrant, Morse was surrendered his cell phone. Various electronic and computer devices were also seized and examined. The HSI Special Agent assigned as the computer forensic analyst located child pornography on Morse's cell phone.

Morse was arrested and booked in the Sonoma County jail for possession of child pornography.

Morse produced the $30,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on October 21.

The Santa Rosa School District was contacted and advised of the charges against Morse.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call Homeland Security's national toll-free tip line, which is 1-866-347-2423, or the Sonoma County Sheriff Department's tip line at 707-565-2185.