A man, who is an assistant coach with a sled hockey team for disabled children, is facing child porn charges.
Matthew Kiernan, 28, was arrested by the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for possessing and distributing child pornography.
The arrest was made on Thursday when deputies searched Kiernan's home on Medinah Road in Hilliard.
“I was personally shocked because he coaches handicapped children. And really, who amongst us is more vulnerable than handicapped kids,” said Franklin County Major Steve Tucker. “I really don't know what kind of monster really downloads child porn and then finds a way to coach handicapped children.”
Several computers and a handgun were seized from Kiernan's home. According to deputies, Keirnan admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography for at least a decade.
Neighbors tell 10TV they were shocked to hear of the arrest. “I think it's kind of a shame that someone like him, that seems so nice, would go and do something like that,” said Hilliard resident Adam Schrock.
Following the arrest, deputies say one of the first people they notified was the head coach of the Columbus Ohio Blades, to allow him time to tell his team. 10TV reached out to the head coach and parents. They declined comment.
Kiernan was charged with two felony counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Harmful to a Juvenile.