WARREN (WWJ) A Warren Consolidated Schools teacher, charged with nearly a dozen felony counts connected to child pornography and illegal drug possession, is being held on a $1 million dollar bond.
Macomb County prosecutors say Mark Sharrow, 37, of Warren faces eleven felony counts after authorities found "sexually explicit videos of minors" on his cell phone.
According to prosecutors, police also found methamphetamine and LSD in his home while executing a search warrant on Tuesday, August 18. Authorities searched his home in connection to his arrest for a Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charge out of Houghton Lake.
Sharrow was arraigned on Wednesday (Aug. 19) in Warren's 37th District Court. He's charged with five counts of Child Sexually Abusive Material-Possession and five counts of Using Computers to Commit a Crime.
He's also charged with one count of Controlled Substance, Possession of Methamphetamine.
Each count carries up to ten years in prison.
John Bernia, Superintendent of Warren Consolidated Schools, informed families of Sharrow's arrest in a letter and ensured that "safety remains (the district's) top priority."
"I want to thank the young people who reported difficult information to members of our staff," Sharrow wrote. "It is never easy to bring forward serious information, and the bravery of these individuals is commendable."
Bernia wrote Sharrow was placed on administrative leave, adding the district will "cooperate fully and work closely with law enforcement and the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office."
The judge ordered Sharrow to wear a GPS tether if he posts the $1 million cash/surety bond. He is also prohibited from using the internet or any device capable of the internet. He's ordered to have no contact with minors and to avoid places where children and teens commonly congregate.
"Child Sexually Abusive Material is not simply illegal content--it is evidence of the abuse and exploitation of a real child," Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said. "Those who seek out, possess, or distribute this material help perpetuate the harm."
Sharrow is due back on September 1.
He's being held on a $1 million bond.
He's being held on a $1 million bond.
