Cassie LaJeunesse, Campus Carrier Deputy News Editor
Allie Pritchett, Viking Fusion Executive Producer
On Oct. 23, Jonathan Bopp, a carpenter in Berry’s physical plant, was arrested and charged with two counts of “sexual exploitation of children allegedly involving accessing and distributing online two images containing child pornography.” An email from President Stephen Briggs’ office on Oct. 24 informed the Berry community of the arrest.
“After speaking to the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation), we have no reason to believe that any of this happened on campus or that any campus equipment was used,” Briggs said.
According to a GBI press release, an investigation into the distribution of child pornography began in August after the GBI and the US Department of Homeland Security received information about the international distribution of child pornography from a residence in Rome from the Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand (OCEANZ). This led to a search warrant for Bopp’s residence and ultimately to his arrest.
Bopp was arrested at the Berry College Police Department by the GBI. According to Briggs, the Berry police were not involved in the arrest, but arranged for it to take place in a controlled environment in order to ensure privacy.
“We tried to do it in a place that was a bit more respectful and less disruptive to the community, for the individual and the officers as well,” Briggs said. “It is not our investigation. We had no knowledge of the investigation until (GBI officers) went on campus.”
Bopp was taken to the Floyd County Jail, but posted bail of $11,200 on Tuesday, according to a Floyd County Jail spokesperson.
The email from the Office of the President informed the Berry community that Bopp has been placed on administrative leave pending further information.
“We can’t presume guilt, but we also have to be attentive to the nature of a criminal investigation and, at the same time, protecting the institution,” Briggs said.