Scott Aikens

CLYMER — The Clymer Central School District placed agriculture teacher and local farmer Scott Aikens on administrative leave after he was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Murray stated Buffalo offices of Homeland Security Investigations received information that a online user name “EJD” was active on a Thai based child pornography open website “Boyxzeed2.net.” After tracing the email address to Aikens, a search warrant was executed on Sept. 14 at the Aiken’s residence on Route 474 in Clymer.

Multiple electronic devices were recovered, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release. Evidence obtained included a laptop and two desktop computers. At the time of arrest, Homeland Security agents found Aikens, 60, sitting in front of his computer.

“According to the complaint, there were multiple images on the computer screen of young prepubescent males with their genitals exposed,” Murray said.

Clymer was contacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday morning regarding Aikens’ alleged crime, which the district said did not involve district property, According to Superintendent Ed Bailey, Aikens was placed on administrative leave immediately.

Bailey said Clymer will cooperate with authorities upon request and will not be giving any further comment “out of respect for the criminal investigation and process.”

Aikens appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. He is being held pending a detention hearing Tuesday. The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

Aikens graduated from Clymer Central School and began as a teacher in 2005. Prior to teaching he was dairy farmer in Clymer and was the advisor of the Future Farmers of America.

The charge carries a mandatory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.