FBI investigating Cary elementary school teacher accused of possessing child porn

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Cary elementary school teacher is facing charges, and an FBI investigation, after authorities say he was found to be in possession of child porn.

Chip Anthony Hollingsworth, a 39-year-old teacher at Cardinal Charter Academy, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. He has since been placed on leave.

He is being held on $1 million bond.

According to Cary police, "the FBI felt there was an urgency in the case because of the suspect's job and asked for assistance from the Cary Police Department."

According to the arrest warrants, Hollingsworth possessed and duplicated videos showing children ranging from 6 to 14 years old, performing sexual acts.

The offenses began in December of 2017, the warrant states.

All of the children in the video are unidentified, according to police.

An attorney for the state said in court Tuesday that Hollingsworth confessed.

Cardinal Charter Academy sent the following statement to ABC11:

We have been made aware of allegations and the arrest of one of our teachers regarding activities that occurred outside of school. Our highest priority is the safety and security of our students and the employee is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. We are not at liberty to discuss personnel issues and defer to the Cary police department for further statements.