Pontiac social studies teacher accused of possessing, distributing child porn

DETROIT – A Pontiac social studies teacher is accused of distributing and possessing child pornography, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Michael Dembs is charged with distribution and receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He was arrested Thursday at his home in Berkley.

Recommended Videos



Dembs is a teacher at the Pontiac Academy for Excellence.

According to the complaint, an FBI agent signed into a peer-to-peer file sharing program in July and identified a computer as a “potential download candidate for child pornography.”

The agent downloaded four videos from the user on July 21 and found that three depicted minor children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The videos included young girls between the ages of 9 and 12.

The FBI matched the IP address to Dembs.

Dembs was interviewed by law enforcement and told authorities that he had been looking at child pornography for more than a decade, according to the complaint. He also told authorities that he preferred girls between the age of 8 and 12.

The Pontiac Academy for Excellence released the following statement:

"The Pontiac Academy for Excellence district has been informed by the U.S. attorney general that a Pontiac Academy for Excellence teacher was arrested at his home on federal charges. The teacher has been suspended without pay pending the investigation. At this time, the U.S. attorney general stated there is no information that any Pontiac Academy for Excellence student was involved, and there is no information that any Pontiac Academy for Excellence facilities or equipment was involved. We regret this deeply troubling situation. The Pontiac Academy for Excellence district will cooperate fully with law enforcement, and further information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Dembs is due in federal court Friday afternoon for a detention hearing.


About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional.