Allen Long
KINGMAN – The former Kingman Unified School District (KUSD) teacher charged in a child pornography case was the focus of a brief evidentiary hearing on Thursday, February 20. Defense attorney Matthew Bartz informed Judge Doug Camacho that the state has made a plea offer to resolve the matter short of trial.
Bartz said he and his client, Allen Long, 29, Meadview, wish to present a “deviation request,” a counter offer, for the consideration of Deputy Mohave County Attorney Karolina Czaplinska. Bartz said he is working to gather his client’s medical records from Arizona and Indiana, and perhaps a psychological evaluation, that might help further plea negotiations with the state.
The KUSD terminated Long’s employment following his on-campus arrest at Cerbat Elementary school in Kingman last November. A court record said that information from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force indicated that child pornography material had possibly been uploaded from electronic addresses traced to Long.
The subsequent investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office led to searches of his home and vehicle, and confiscation of two laptops, a cell phone and other items belonging to Long. The agency said images found on the cell phone led to Long’s indictment on five charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Judge Camacho granted a defense motion allowing Long, who is not in custody, to travel to Laughlin for the sole purpose of working or seeking employment. His release conditions prohibit Long from being in the company of minors while awaiting trial.
Judge Camacho scheduled a March 27 status hearing to learn if a plea agreement is progressing or if the case should be set for jury trial.
Dave Hawkins
