EL PASO COUNTY – We’re learning more about the case of Patrick McMahon, the Ellicott High School science teacher arrested this week on charges of sexual exploitation of a child.
In an arrest affidavit obtained by News5, detectives lay out how a tip from McMahon’s ex-wife about pornographic material on an old computer led them to take a closer look at the teacher.
The investigation started on Nov. 9th with the call from the ex who said she had seen McMahon looking at sexually exploitative images of children around 2015 to 2016. According to the detective, the ex was now concerned about McMahon’s proximity to children in the community, as she had heard he was now coaching youth soccer.
In December, Investigators obtained a search warrant for an old computer she said belonged to her ex-husband. A detective checking the device last week reports finding 36 digital file folders, each containing at least one sexually exploitative image of a child.
The affidavit explains in detail the disturbing images found of prepubescent girls engaged in sex acts.
McMahon was interviewed on Monday about the images found on the computer he previously owned. The detective reports he was read his Miranda rights before admitting he download the images for his personal use. Additionally, McMahon told the detective he would find more images on a cell phone and desktop computer, according to the affidavit.
McMahon is being held without bond on the charge of sexual exploitation of a child.
While the affidavit does include information from a school resource officer about claims from female students of McMahon “intruding on their personal space”, there is no indication the images contained on the devices taken as evidence are of children in this area.
Ellicott High School released the following statement about the arrest:
“The District placed Ellicott High School teacher, Patrick McMahon on administrative leave. To our knowledge, the allegations do not pertain to any of our students in Ellicott and did not happen on district property or on district time. Ellicott Schools will be cooperating fully with the investigation. Please direct any questions to Ellicott School District Superintendent Chris Smith.”
