Retired Michigan teacher, track coach arraigned on child porn charges
A retired teacher and coach arrested Wednesday morning during a police raid appeared in the 2B District Court Wednesday afternoon for arraignment.
The Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit arrested 64-year-old Patrick Henry Pastula — a retired high school english teacher and track coach.
The arrest came at the conclusion of an investigation into the online sharing of child sexually abusive material using peer-to-peer networks, the MSP stated in a news release. The investigation led to Pastula’s home in Hillsdale.
Pastula has been charged with three counts of aggravated child sexually abusive activity — distributing or promoting and one count of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material.
If convicted, Pastula faces up to 25 years in prison for each charge of aggravated child sexually abusive activity — distributing or promoting and up to 10 years for the charge of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material, a news release from the MSP Computer Crimes Unit stated.
Pastula hired attorney John Lovinger to represent him.
“Mr. Pastula and his wife are long-time residents of the city of Hillsdale,” Lovinger said Wednesday afternoon. “It would be beneficial in preparing his defense for him to be released on bond.”
Lovinger also informed the court that he anticipated a cash bond being posted in the case.
Judge Sara S. Lisznyai set bond in the amount of $130,000 with 10-percent allowed and ordered that if Pastula was to post bond, he must remain in the county and not possess any computers — including cell phones — in his home.
Court records indicate the alleged crimes took place on or about March 1, 2019.
Elements of the Michigan State Police raided Pastula’s home early Wednesday morning; both marked and unmarked vehicles were observed surrounding his home on Norwood Street between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Hillsdale Community Schools indicated Pastula was hired July 30, 1985, and retired on June 30, 2011.
“He primarily taught english classes,” Superintendent Shawn Vondra stated. “He also coached cross country and track.”
Vondra stated that neither the high school nor the district have been involved in the criminal allegations.
Pastula is tentatively scheduled to return to 2B District Court within the next three weeks for preliminary hearings.
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Contact Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net