Robert Rowland faces 4 felony charges

GAYLORD -- A northern Michigan school employee is facing several felony charges for possessing child pornography.

Robert Dennis Rowland, 58, of Vanderbilt turned himself into police early Wednesday morning after an arrest warrant was issued.

Rowland faces four felony charges:
   Count 1: Child Sexually Abusive Activity - 20 year / $100,000
   Count 2: Computers - Using To Commit A Crime - 20 year / $100,000
   Count 3: Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material - 4 year / $10,000
   Count 4: Computers - Using To Commit A Crime - 7 year / $5,000

Troopers from the Michigan State Police post in Gaylord say they launched the investigation after receiving a tip. After obtaining a search warrant, police say they found the materials on Rowland's home computer.

Rowland has been employed as a maintenance worker and custodian for the Alba School District since June 2005.

Superintendent Derrel Kent says he is "shocked and surprised" to learn of Rowland's arrest, but says that it does not appear that any wrongdoing occurred at the school or involved any local children. That is supported by local police as well.

"We don't believe that any children from the area were involved in the incident," said Trooper Robert Krupa of the Michigan State Police post in Gaylord. "We believe it came from the computer, from the Internet, and probably from a different country."

In 2005 when Rowland was hired on as an employee with the Alba School District, Kent says a background check was conducted and returned with a clean record.

While Rowland is barred from school property, Kent says disciplinary action will be held off until the school district has the opportunity to review court documents with their attorney.

Rowland is free on bond, however during his arraignment Wednesday in 87th District Court in Otsego County, he was also ordered by the judge not to have any contact with any children and is prohibited from using a computer.

A preliminary exam has been scheduled for September 3.