Howard County teacher arrested on child pornography charges, school officials say
COLUMBIA, Md. -- A Howard County high school teacher has been arrested on child pornography charges, school district officials said Thursday.
Lawrence Costella, a special education teacher at Atholton High School, was arrested Wednesday in Baltimore County, Principal Robert Motley said in a letter to the school community.
Costella was denied bail at a bond review Thursday in Baltimore County District Court.
"He's a teacher. He's devastated by the charges. And, we'll have to see how that's all going to work out later on," Stephen Tully, Costella's attorney, said outside court.
The 32-year-old is charged with three counts each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, according to court records.
Charging documents accuse Costella of sharing multiple images of prepubescent boys and girls displaying "graphic hardcore sexual abuse." Costella told investigators he had to share the content in a chat room to get the material he wanted.
He lives in Reisterstown, the records say. School officials said he was arrested in Baltimore County.
Detectives do not suspect Costella had any inappropriate contact with minors, Baltimore County Police said. The department is in the "approval process" for releasing Costella's booking photo.
Costella has now been placed on administrative leave and is barred from school grounds, pending an investigation. He was in his second year at the school, Motley said.
All HCPS teachers undergo a criminal background check, fingerprinting and reference check when they are hired, Motley said.
"Our parents entrust us to keep our children safe, and that responsibility is our top priority," Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano said in a statement. "Though it's important to allow the legal process to play out, I am extremely disturbed as a result of learning of these charges.
The superintendent asked parents to encourage their children to tell a trusted adult if "anyone ever behaves or speaks to them in a way that causes them to feel uncomfortable, whether it is a neighbor, family member, coach, daycare provider, or staff member at their school."
Costella is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
Baltimore County Public Schools officials confirmed Thursday that Costella had been a teacher at Dundalk High School from 2015-2021. An online newsletter listed Costella as a girls soccer coach in 2016.