A substitute teacher in the Bedford School District now faces three felony charges for possession of child sex abuse images after he was arrested this week.
Jonathan Harrison, 31, of Concord, allegedly used the dark web as far back as 2023 to access the images, according to a statement released by Bedford School District Superintendent Michael Fournier.
“In early August, the Bedford School District was notified that the Maine State Police had contacted Mr. Harrison at his summer place of work. The Maine police, in collaboration with the New Hampshire State Police, acted on a tip alleging that Mr. Harrison had been in possession of pornographic images of children on the dark web in 2023, and possibly earlier,” Fournier wrote in a message to Bedford parents.
Fournier’s letter states Harrison was fired from his job Monday shortly after his arrest, though the district knew about the investigation for a couple of weeks. Harrison was suspended by the district when Bedford officials first became aware of the police inquiry. Fournier states no Bedford student was exploited by Harrison.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe that any of these images involved students from Bedford,” Fournier wrote.
At the time the investigation started, Harrison was working a summer job in Maine, according to Fournier. Harrison was ordered held without bail following his arrest on Monday.
NHJournal has contacted Bedford school officials about what specific classes and dates Harrison taught at the school. They have not yet responded. But WMUR reports Harrison has been placed on unpaid leave and will not be returning to work in the district.
Commissioner of Education Frank Edeblut told NHJournal the Department of Education will be investigating the case as well.
