By Brian Entin, WPTV
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Fifty nine child pornography charges have been dropped against a former Rosarian Academy teacher accused of sexual activity with two fourth-grade students.
Palm County State Attorney spokesman Mike Edmondson says their office dropped the charges against Stephen Budd because of “facts that arose during the investigation of the case.”
According to Budd’s defense attorney, West Palm Beach police violated Budd’s constitutional rights by doing an improper search of his car to find a hard drive.
Budd is not off the hook.
Two former students allege that Budd had engaged in sexual activity with them during the 2006-2007 school year.
Investigators say Budd rewarded his student victims with “Budd bucks” or candy in return for sexual acts.
He still faces sexual battery and molestation charges in that case.