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August 09, 2022 - 1:19 PM
A B.C teacher that was convicted of possessing hundreds of images of child sex abuse has been banned from teaching for life.
According to a July 26 B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, Vancouver Island teacher Travis Curry Mitchell was convicted of possessing images of child sex abuse in 2021.
The decision said in June 2020 police received a report about inappropriate communications between Mitchell and a student.
He was later arrested and had his cell phone and computer seized, which were then found to contain images of child sexual exploitation.
Mitchell was charged with making sexually explicit material available to an under 16-year-old and possession of child pornography.
He pleaded guilty to the child pornography charge and avoided jail, instead, he was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest with conditions.
According to the decision, Mitchell worked for the Greater Victoria school district and became a qualified teacher in 2018. He let his registration slip and it was cancelled for non-payment in November 2021.
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According to media reports, Mitchell taught Grade 4 and 5 at Hillcrest Elementary school in Saanich.
Mitchell signed a consent agreement agreeing to never reapply to become a teacher.
"Mitchell was convicted of a criminal offence that involves the exploitation of minors for sexual advantage," the decision read. "Mitchell's conduct was at the serious end of the spectrum and had the potential to undermine the public's confidence in the teaching profession."
In the consent agreement, Mitchell admitted to his actions and agreed to not make any statements that might contradict the agreement.
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