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AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A former school board president in northeast Ohio has pleaded guilty to having child pornography and obstructing official business.
Officials say 53-year-old Steven Bittel's computer IP address was involved in a peer-to-peer file-sharing network involving child pornography. The Nordonia Hills school board president was arrested in September after a five-hour standoff with police at his Sagamore Hills home.
He resigned as school board president shortly after his arrest.
Bittel pleaded guilty Monday to 19 felony counts. They included pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, obstructing official business and brandishing a firearm. He originally was charged with more than 60 counts.
His attorney declined to comment.
Bittel could face up to 31 years in prison. He is scheduled for sentencing April 22.
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