Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

An Isle of Wight Academy teacher has been arrested for allegedly possessing child pornography.

The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office said deputies took 37-year-old Zachary Austin Hinz, a county resident, into custody on Dec. 12 as a result of an investigation the Sheriff’s Office conducted in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a nationwide network of more than 5,400 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Hinz is charged with three felony counts of possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation and facilitation of child pornography.

The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the evidence to date indicates no students at IWA were harmed or exploited, and no images of children attending IWA were in Hinz’ possession.

“The Sheriff’s Office is working closely with Isle of Wight Academy to ensure transparency and the safety of all students. School officials have been cooperative throughout this investigation,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its news release.

Deputy 1st Class Alecia Paul, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office, said Hinz was taken into custody at IWA. Headmaster Mark Munford did not immediately respond to The Smithfield Times’ request for comments.

“The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office is committed to thoroughly investigating and prosecuting crimes of this nature,” said Sheriff James Clarke Jr. in the news release. “We are deeply disturbed by these allegations and will continue to work diligently to ensure justice is served.”

Hinz is being held without bond at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming, the Sheriff’s Office said.