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Former Carroll County 'Teacher Of The Year' Arrested, Faces Child Sex Charges

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A 39-year-old Westminster West Middle School teacher has been arrested and faces child sex charges in Virginia.

Kenneth Brian Fischer was formerly a teacher and/or administrator at multiple other Carroll County schools, as well, including North Carroll High School, Winters Mill High School Francis Scott Key High School, Manchester Valley High School, Sykesville Middle School and Mt. Airy Middle School since 2000.

According to the Carroll County Times, Fischer is a former Teacher of the Year in the county.

Fischer faces four counts of solicitation of a minor in Virginia, in connection with an online chat investigation that began on Aug. 31.

Maryland State Police assisted Fairfax County police in the arrest.

At approximately 5:40 a.m. Wednesday, the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Section, with the assistance of agents from Homeland Security and Investigation (HSI), FBI Baltimore Field Office and Westminster City Police, served a search warrant at Fischer's residence. Investigators from the Fairfax County Police were also present.

Various electronic and digital data storage devices were recovered and turned over to the Fairfax County Police investigators. They will be initiating a digital forensic analysis.

"I was hoping it wasn't real, it was scary, horrible news," parent Noelle Cole said.

Investigators say Fischer contacted an officer who was posing as a 14-year-old boy online. They say Fischer was looking for sex.

Police say through an undisclosed cell phone app, Fischer also sent sexually explicit images, presumably of himself to the undercover police decoy.

"He's currently not facing any charges in Maryland although that may change based on the nature of the investigation," said Ron Snyder of the Maryland State Police.

Investigators fear there could other potential victims in both Virginia and Maryland.

"It's scary. I have a senior in high school and he could have been around my children," parent Christi Spencer said.

School officials sent a countywide email to the parents noting that they are "cooperating fully with law enforcement and their investigation" and that Fischer "will not be returning to West Middle School."

School officials say Fischer has been suspended without pay pending a recommendation of termination.

Fischer is being detained at the Carroll County Detention Center and is awaiting extradition to Virginia.

A phone line has been established to coordinate information and provide victims a place to report incidents and receive information on counseling or other services that they may need. Information may be phoned or text messaged to 443-373-1684 or emailed to crimeline@ccg.carr.org.

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