Chicopee teacher faces felony charges as investigators review 28 devices

CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A 46-year-old Chicopee teacher accused of possessing and sharing disturbing material was arraigned on multiple felony charges Wednesday, including attempted indecent assault on a child, as investigators review evidence seized from his Lenox home.

Keith Harrison also is accused of trying to entice someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Investigators say the person was actually an undercover agent.

Authorities raided Harrison’s home this week and seized 28 devices, including seven phones and a Nintendo Switch.

Camp addresses Harrison’s role

Chicopee Public Schools said Harrison’s alleged conduct did not take place on school grounds and the district has placed him on paid administrative leave.

Camp Taconic in Hinsdale confirmed that Harrison was the head of its Challenge Course. The camp director provided a statement that said, in part:

“We were shocked to learn that staff member, Keith Harrison, the head of our Challenge Course, has been arrested...”

“...While at no time do we believe that anything inappropriate occurred with campers during Mr. Harrison’s employment, we were still horrified to find out that anything of this nature could have possibly arisen.”

Investigators review digital evidence

Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said investigators are working with the FBI to review the data from the devices and determine the scope of the case.

“So I don’t like to give too much comments on it because it is an ongoing investigation and we haven’t gotten all the data yet,” Shugrue said. “But there is a lot of data. We are still working very closely with the FBI. The FBI provided this information to us.”

Shugrue added investigators are working to identify more information, including potential victims, from the devices.

“There’s a lot of information. Like I said, 28 devices is a lot. Very disturbing,” Shugrue said.

The Berkshire County district attorney’s office said it expects more charges in the case.

Harrison is being held on $75,000 cash bail and is under orders to have no contact with anyone under 18. If he posts bail, he will be monitored by GPS. He is due back in court October 8.