CMS teacher charged with sex crime involving children

A teacher from Polo Ridge Elementary in south Charlotte has been arrested and charged with possessing child pornography.

Timothy Scott Olson, a fifth-grade teacher, was arrested by Union County sheriff’s deputies Aug. 13 and charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to an arrest report. Olson lives in Monroe.

Olson was suspended with pay as soon as the district was made aware of the arrest, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said. The paid suspension will last until the police investigation has concluded.

“We have not been advised that the investigation is connected in any way to the teacher’s responsibilities or employment with CMS,” the district said in a statement.

Parents whose children were initially assigned to Olson’s class have already been notified that their teacher has changed, Polo Ridge principal Nizy John wrote in a message to parents.

CMS Superintendent Ann Clark said Monday morning that the situation is regrettable but declined to comment extensively, citing an ongoing investigation.

“That’s certainly not the way you want to start the school year,” Clark told the Observer.

No further details were available in the arrest report. According to state law, third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor involves possessing a “visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.” A sheriff’s deputy confirmed that the charge was related to child pornography.

Phone calls to Olson were not immediately returned.

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 6:35 AM with the headline "CMS teacher charged with sex crime involving children."