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December 21, 2009

<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> MSSU professor facing felony count of possessing child pornography on his workplace computer <font color="#ff0000">w/ probable-cause affidavit</font>

\By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

A longtime professor at Missouri Southern State University has been charged with a felony count of possessing child pornography on his workplace computer, according to a probable-cause statement.

Val A. Christensen, 63, of Joplin, turned himself in Monday to authorities at the Jasper County Jail in Carthage. He was released after posting $3,500 bond.

Joplin police began investigating Christensen earlier this month after receiving a call for assistance from Missouri Southern police.

The probable-cause statement filed by police Detective Charles Root states that investigators found four images reportedly depicting child pornography on the computer in Christensen’s office, amid numerous other pornographic images. The images related to the felony charge allegedly depict nude children under the age of 16 in various sexual acts or poses.

Root said in the statement that Christensen in an interview Dec. 11 at his office confessed to “knowingly downloading and possessing the child pornography.”

“He admitted to using his issued computer to download the material,” Root wrote.

Christensen did not return a message left at his home on Monday afternoon. Joplin attorney Todd Hawkins filed an entry of appearance in the case on Monday. No arraignment has been set.

MSSU President Bruce Speck said the university is aware of the allegations and is waiting for the investigation to conclude.

“Clearly, we want to make sure we’re not jumping to conclusions,” he said. “Being charged with a crime is not the same as being convicted of one. But clearly we have a policy on computer use, and that’s an issue for us.”





Tenure

Val Christensen has been employed at Missouri Southern since 1979 and is an associate professor in the art department.

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