Former Orange County middle school teacher arrested on child porn charges

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A now-former Orange County middle school teacher was arrested this week on charges of possessing child pornography.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents said on July 9, Ryan Hamil, 22, admitted to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer when he was getting off a cruise in Miami that he’d purchased child sex abuse material on the dark web.

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Investigators said Hamil also told the officer he took inappropriate photos of children on the cruise and similar photos of children in his care at the YMCA Family Center in Winter Garden.

Hamil was a teacher at Water Spring Middle School in Winter Garden up until Aug. 25 when Orange County Public Schools officials said they learned about the law enforcement investigation. District officials said he has not been on campus since then.

Read: Police: Volusia elementary school teacher charged with child abuse for hitting student with autism

The YMCA also said the Hamil was fired from his part-time job there in August after they learned of the investigation.

When interviewed, investigators said Hamil denied taking any photos of children at the middle school.

When investigators searched Hamil’s phone, they said they found two images of child pornography.

Read: Former student starts Facebook support group after ex-Volusia County teacher arrested

Hamil was arrested Friday on two charges of possessing materials depicting the sexual performance of a child.

The YMCA provided Channel 9 with the following statement following Hamil’s arrest:

“At the YMCA of Central Florida, there is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of all in our care.

We are saddened to learn of the arrest involving a former Water Spring Middle School teacher who is also a former part-time Y employee. The individual in question no longer works for the Y and is restricted from all access to Y programs and locations. We will cooperate fully with authorities during their investigation.

As a cause-driven community builder serving Central Florida families for over 135 years, the YMCA remains steadfast in our commitment to provide a healthy and safe environment.”

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

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