Crime & Safety

Former Newton Teacher Headed to Federal Court for Child Porn Charges

A Suffolk Superior Court magistrate lowered Ettlinger's bail Tuesday morning to allow Ettlinger's federal case to proceed.

A former Newton elementary school teacher charged with child pornography possession and indecent assault and battery will now head to federal court.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, a Suffolk Superior Court magistrate waived David Ettlinger's right to a speedy trial and reduced his bail in order for him to be detained by federal officials and face charges out of Louisiana. 

Ettlinger, 34, faces federal charges out of the Western District of Louisiana that stem from his alleged involvement with the global child pornography site known as "Dreamboard." 

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Ettlinger  and subsequently held on $100,000 cash bail. He was due in court today for a status hearing. 

Suffolk County charges

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 and arraigned in Brighton District Court on multiple counts of possession of child pornography. He was arraigned on Jan. 18 in West Roxbury District Court for indecent assault and battery charges.

Authorities in Suffolk County allege that during the Jan. 17 raid of Ettlinger's apartment, officials found videos showing two children who Ettlinger allegedly assaulted and secretly filmed the abuse. Ettlinger had been charged with offenses against one of the victims; the second was identified during the course of the grand jury investigation, the DA's office said. 

The charges in Suffolk County include:

  • Aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 (two counts)
  • Posing a child in the state of nudity (two counts)
  • Secretly photographing a nude or semi-nude person (two counts)

The victims were not Ettlinger's students, but are known to investigators, the DA's office said. 

According to the DA's office, Suffolk prosecutors expect to file paperwork with federal authorities in Louisiana to ensure Ettlinger returns to Massachusetts once the federal prosecution is complete.

Middlesex County indictment

On Feb. 8, Ettlinger was indicted in Middlesex County and for charges related to a girl he allegedly assaulted while babysitting. He was held on $50,000 cash bail on charges including:

  • Five counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
  • Posing a child in a state of nudity
  • Posing a child in sexual conduct
  • Possession of child pornography
  • Secretly recording a partially nude person 

According to Middlesex County District Attorney Spokeswoman Cara O'Brien, Ettlinger's trial in Middlesex County is scheduled for February 2013 and Ettlinger is expected to be present for the trial regardless of the federal case. 

Newton allegations

Last month, news broke that  while working at Underwood Elementary School. The photographs were reportedly non-pornographic and Ettlinger will therefore not face criminal charges for the pictures. 

Ettlinger taught in the Newton Public Schools for 12 years, at both  and Elementary. . 


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