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Md. Track Coach Faces Child Porn Charges

PASADENA, Md. (WJZ) -- There are disturbing allegations against a high school track coach. Police say he got into a relationship with a teenage girl.

Adam May explains why he's now facing child porn charges.

Police say the coach and the teen were sexting, or sending each other pornographic pictures with their cell phones.

Brian Funk, 40, faces charges of child pornography and displaying an obscene item to a minor. He's the former girls' varsity track coach at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn. Police say he started an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student.

"Through the investigation, we confirmed that there were sexually explicit images being exchanged between the suspect and the victim in this case," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson.

Police say the two also had a movie date.

In a letter sent to parents, school officials say Funk was removed from his coaching position in July after the school learned of possible boundary violations with a minor.

Parents are outraged.

"It breeds immaturity to only be around young people," said one.

"I expect more," said another. "I expect them to take care...of the kids."

We've seen similar cases involving students and teachers at other schools. Experts say those involved generally think they won't be caught.

"Everyone has internal sexual fantasies that you'll never know about. Some are bizarre; some are not. But they're internalized. In a hi-tech age, we can find anything you want to accentuate those fantasies on a screen," said Dr. Jack Vareth.

According to an Internet biography, Funk is married with two young children. He's also worked at other Maryland high schools in Annapolis and Columbia, plus a few universities around the county.

"There's no indication there's other victims out there," Mulcahy said. "However, if there are other victims, we want to hear from them."

Funk turned himself in to police Sunday night. He's already posted bail but wasn't home for comment Monday.

Earlier this summer, Funk was offered a job coaching at Catholic University in D.C. School officials say he never started the job.

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