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Jonesborough Middle teacher, coach indicted on child porn charges


Published April 29th, 2009 | 21 Comments


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JONESBOROUGH — A Washington County schoolteacher and coach is jailed on federal child pornography charges after an investigation revealed more than 12,000 illegal images and videos on his computer, according to U.S. District Court documents.

Kent Holcombe, 43, of Jonesborough, was arrested Wednesday on three charges from a grand jury indictment handed down by the court in Greeneville. The document alleges Holcombe distributed, received and possessed child pornography by computer over a two-year period between Feb. 20, 2007, and Feb. 5, 2009.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman denied a motion by Holcombe’s attorneys, Richard Pectol and Jeff Miles, requesting bond.

In the order denying bond, Inman cited as his reason “the sheer volume of child pornography on (the) defendant’s computer, over 12,000 images, as well as videos,” and the fact Holcombe was a middle school teacher during the time he “aggregated his pornography collection,” which also included bestiality.

“Therefore, I find that there is no condition or combination of conditions which will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required in this proceeding,” Inman wrote in his order.

If he’s convicted and the sentences stacked, Holcombe faces up to 50 years in prison. The distribution and receiving charges each carry up to 20 years in prison, while the possession charge carries up to 10 years in prison.

The indictment does not indicate if Holcombe is accused of using school property to distribute the illegal sexual images, or if it was his personal computer.

According to federal court documents, the grand jury returned the three-count indictment April 15. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and FBI collaborated in the investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Holcombe has already resigned from his teaching and coaching position at Jonesborough Middle School, although the school Web site still lists him as a Title I reading teacher.

Inman set a trial date for June 25 and a plea deadline for June 11.

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your welcome, i am glad i could help

Commentbrandon orvis | 5/1/2009 - 5:42 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Thanks Mr. Orvis for adding some color to the article and discussion. Finding out that he "hung out" with girls at the track makes me think (but not sure) that the material he was viewing was of female children. Others here wondered what sex his minor targets were also.

The fact that he is married is sad to learn. A relationship, legitimized by God and society, may be ruined here. If not, perhaps his spouse can lead him to seek help for his problem.

Although I have no pity for people afflicted with this penchant, they too, given the right circumstances, can be forgiven, and perhaps lead a meaningful life (not in a position of authority over a child though).

CommentW C Redux | 4/30/2009 - 9:42 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

I was shocked that this had even happened because i was on his track team for two years ,last year was one of them. I would of never suspected this from him. But he did like to walk around the track with the girls alot. I can also tell that he is married

Commentbrandon orvis | 4/30/2009 - 9:23 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Yes Taylor, attempt to "rally the troops". Someone who doesn't prescribe to your thought processes is posting here.

If it doesn't align with your thoughts, ignore it. That's the ticket Taylor.

CommentW C Redux | 4/30/2009 - 9:47 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

You've blatantly contradicted yourself quite a few times now, under this and several other posts. While it was a good performance, its obvious now that its nothing more than game. Redux is here to simply twist each story and it's commenters as far as he/she can take it. Dont bite the bait folks.

CommentEric Taylor | 4/30/2009 - 9:40 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

OK, I agree that showing child pornography is a bit much.

Photos of children in swimsuits or the like would have the same effect.

I am getting sick of you people claiming "fake posts" etc. etc.

Something different must be done other than current tactics to screen applicants.

CommentW C Redux | 4/30/2009 - 9:06 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Redux is fakeposting. There's no way somebody could be serious about showing child pornography at a job interview.

CommentD. W. | 4/30/2009 - 9:02 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

The material utilized for the interview could be nothing more than scantily clad minors, I believe this would have the same effect on these perverts.

CommentW C Redux | 4/30/2009 - 8:30 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

You need help REDUX

CommentJerry Christ | 4/30/2009 - 8:25 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Absolutely unbelievable. I can’t believe someone “REDUX” would suggest that child pornography be kept and utilized as a job interview technique. First of all, it’s ILLEGAL to possess child pornography….not to mention disgusting. I’ve had a LITTLE experience in this arena, having been in law enforcement for almost 20 years, I have been involved with child pornography cases. Seeing that kind of sick vile thing is extremely hard for someone to deal with. I know quite a few law enforcement officers that have been assigned to work child pornography cases and let me tell you, they say it’s the hardest, most disgusting job they’ve ever had to do.

I agree that there are positions that bear greater scrutiny because of the almost unfettered access they provide to our children, but using child porn as a means of scrutinizing potential employees is not the answer. Maybe a polygraph type of examination process would be a better option. It wouldn’t be fool proof but then again, neither is the child pornography scenario…and the polygraph is a much less disgusting and disturbing option.

CommentJoseph Hill | 4/30/2009 - 8:01 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Call BS, PS, CS, or whatever you will Pierce.

I propose the use of a plethysmograph in the job application process. Nowhere did I say it was currently employed for such use. My statement was that such a device exists, which it does.

It has been used in criminal investigations, but I must say, in most cases, any evidence gained has been deemed inadmissible.

Merely an attempt on my part to solve the placement of these individuals in a position of authority over their targets; children.

CommentW C Redux | 4/30/2009 - 7:27 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Is that the perp's photograph or a local dentistry advertisement?

CommentArmed Citizen | 4/30/2009 - 7:01 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

The wikipedia article for plethysmograph says nothing about its use in weeding out potential child predators. How is an employer going to keep something like child porn around, and how exactly are they going to perform this test without getting a boatload of lawsuits? I'm gonna have to call BS on that one.

CommentD. W. | 4/30/2009 - 6:18 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Taylor,

You are starting to get on my nerves with your constant needling.

The word is plethysmograph. Look it up yourself. Try Wikipedia first. If that's too complex for you to understand, let me know.

CommentW C Redux | 4/29/2009 - 11:29 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Lets see some sources, redux. Where are these tests performed? Or was this yet another post with the hopes of garnering some type of response, no matter what it may be?

CommentEric Taylor | 4/29/2009 - 11:15 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Yes, as part of an arsenal of tools to weed out these degenerates before they become instructors to children.

This tool is used in some states already and is nothing new.

CommentW C Redux | 4/29/2009 - 10:54 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

So potential employers should keep a stash of kiddie porn handy?

CommentGomez Adams | 4/29/2009 - 9:53 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

These type deviants plant themselves in teacher jobs, librarians, coaches, youth ministers, etc. etc. just to get close to our children.

I propose that during the interview process, each and every candidate be fitted with a device what would read whether or not they get aroused, then put some child porn in front of them.

If the device registers arousal, the interview is over.

CommentW C Redux | 4/29/2009 - 7:40 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Ive not read anything in this article that hints at a sexual preference. He "allegedly" accessed child pornography. His photo should certainly be in this paper.

CommentEric Taylor | 4/29/2009 - 7:01 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Well well and some would say gay's are sick deviants . I'm glad they got him and I hope he does very hard time in jail but yeah where's his picture better yet I noticed the lack of his picture and his home address . Could this be maybe because he's not a gay man ?

CommentJosh Osborne | 4/29/2009 - 6:50 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Why is there no picture of the lowest level of scum with the article? I am sure the parents are not happy that such a person was interacting with their children, how long has he been at the school, where is the rest of the story?

CommentAmerican Veteran | 4/29/2009 - 6:33 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )
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