Bellaire, OH – A Bellaire High School teacher was arrested Thursday on felony charges involving minors.
According to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, detectives arrested 49-year-old Shawn Valloric at Bellaire High School late Thursday afternoon after receiving a tip earlier that day from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Cleveland.
Authorities allege Valloric committed 10 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor. He was transported to the Belmont County Jail, where he remains incarcerated. Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan confirmed Valloric is scheduled for an initial appearance at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.
The Ohio Revised Code defines the felony offense as the illegal creation, publication, promotion or possession of obscene material depicting a minor engaged in sexual acts or lewd exhibition.
Sheriff James Zusack said detectives acted within hours of receiving the tip and executed a search warrant at Valloric’s residence. The arrest occurred at the school because investigators confirmed he was present at that location at the time.
Bellaire Local Schools Superintendent Derrick McAfee said Valloric has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The safety of our students, staff and community remains our highest priority,” McAfee said in a statement.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Belmont County Sheriff’s Detective Division.
Students and families in the Bellaire community are closely monitoring developments as court proceedings move forward.
Authorities emphasize that Valloric is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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