Former SC teacher pleads guilty in child porn case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A former Spartanburg school teacher has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Tuesday that 57-year-old Mark Anthony Soza pleaded guilty in federal court in Greenville. No date has been set for sentencing, which is pending a judge’s review.

Evidence showed Soza patronized a child pornography operation under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security. Nettles said the investigation showed that Soza completed financial transactions which gave him access to websites containing child pornography.

In February, Soza confessed to authorities that he had child pornography on his computers. An analysis revealed multiple images and videos of children under 18 engaged in sexual acts.

Nettles said Soza faces a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years.