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Pasco school employee in child porn case granted bail

 
Kenneth Dempsey, 52, of Port Richey works in an after-school program at Schrader Elementary.
Kenneth Dempsey, 52, of Port Richey works in an after-school program at Schrader Elementary.
Published April 25, 2014

TAMPA — Kenneth Dempsey, a longtime Pasco County schools employee charged with receipt and possession of child pornography this week, was granted bail by a federal judge Thursday.

Dempsey, 52, had been considered a possible flight risk, according to court documents.

Under the terms of his release, he is to have no contact with children and no Internet access. His bail was set at $50,000, and he will post his home, at 9629 Morehead Lane in Port Richey, as collateral. He will live with his parents, who will serve as his custodians. He will be subject to GPS monitoring, and he can't have any firearms or dangerous weapons. Also, he has to inform his place of employment of his charges.

On Monday, the FBI raided Dempsey's home and found more than 100 discs filled with child pornography, as well as numerous lewd pictures sent and received via electronic communication. Most of the images, according to a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court in Tampa, involved underage boys.

Dempsey works with PLACE, an after-school care program at Schrader Elementary in New Port Richey, and lives with a 6-year-old adopted son. The son is in protective custody, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Pasco schools spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said she does not expect Dempsey will return to work.