LAFAYETTE (KRON) — A former East Bay substitute teacher is being accused of possessing child pornography on his laptop then trying to destroy the computer while authorities served a search warrant at his home, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
David Prashker, 60, was arrested following an investigation by the Contra Costa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
On Feb. 18, authorities with the ICAC Task Force served a search warrant at his residence in the 3600 block of Bickerstaff Rd. in Lafayette. As officers were attempting to contact Prashker, he fled to the back of the house and threw a laptop computer from his second floor bedroom into the backyard, the district attorney’s office wrote in a press release.
“Forensic examiners recovered the laptop, and an initial analysis revealed its hard drive contained evidence of child pornography,” the DA’s office said.
Prashker was arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. His bail was initially set at $205,000. He is due in court on Feb. 23 in Martinez.
According to officials, Prashker has been a teacher and school administrator for 30 years, having held positions in Toronto, Canada; London, England; and Miami, Florida.
“Most recently, Mr. Prashker has been employed as a substitute teacher at two private schools in central Contra Costa County. The schools have been notified; there is no evidence at this point that Mr. Prashker engaged in any crimes involving the students of either school,” officials said.
Prashker faces a maximum penalty of 44 months in prison, and fines, if convicted.