Former School Teacher Sentenced On Porn Charges

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – A former Cheyenne middle school teacher was sentenced to supervised probation for intent to view child pornography.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/2tqdBbw ) Matt Bell received a 10-year supervised probation sentence on Tuesday.

Bell pleaded guilty to intent to view pornographic images of young children in May. He will serve the first eight months of his probation on house arrest. Bell will also have to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender, drug and mental health rehabilitation programs.

Bell’s friends, former co-workers, lawyer and a psychologist evaluation argued that his actions had been the result of chronic depression and alcoholism rather than pedophilia. Those who know him characterized Bell as a good teacher.

Bell says he was 100 percent ethical in his profession and never preyed upon anyone.