Former Gwinnett High School Teacher Faces More Than 100 Counts of Child Sexual Exploitation

Neighbors say they are shocked and disturbed that a former science teacher has been charged with more than 100 counts of child sexual exploitation.

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Tom Jones from Channel 2 was in Hall County on Tuesday, where some parents said they were upset that something like this was happening so close to home.

According to deputies, Blake Edwards, 32, lived in the Walnut Grove community, where many children play outside. Investigators said Edwards shared and possessed 108 images of child sexual abuse material.

Neighbors said they had no idea that someone suspected of harming children was one of their neighbors.

Others were shocked by the allegations.

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“It makes me sick,” said Henry Carr. “I have five children. We don’t like hearing this at all.”

People were especially upset when Jones told them that Edwards was a teacher at Mountain View High School.

“It’s sick. Honestly, there’s no excuse for it,” Jodi Bennett said.

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Deputies said they learned of Edwards’ online activities in March. They said they searched his hard drives and discovered more than 100 images.

Gwinnett County Schools said Edwards resigned in May. Deputies said they have no evidence that any of the children in the videos are from metro Atlanta.