Former West Palm Beach Teacher Arraigned on 59 Child Porn Charges
By Marc Freeman
Prosecutors have added 59 new child pornography charges against Stephen Jerome Budd, a former West Palm Beach private school teacher accused in April of sexually assaulting two 9-year-old students during the 2006-07 school year. During an arraignment hearing Friday in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, an attorney for Budd, 51, entered pleas of not guilty on the latest charges filed by prosecutors Aug. 14. Budd was not at the hearing and is in Palm Beach County Jail being held with no bail. The former Rosarian Academy fourth-grade teacher also faces two counts of sexual battery on a person less than 12 years old, one count of lewd or lascivious molestation, and two counts of lewd or lascivious exhibition. An April 3 arrest report said Budd rewarded the student victims "Budd Bucks" or candy in exchange for sexual acts. The crimes happened numerous times in a classroom at the Catholic school, West Palm Beach police said. A later search of Budd's computer uncovered 41 photos and 19 videos, prompting the filing of the new counts. In May, defense attorney Jason Weiss said the sexual battery allegations, "while serious and distasteful, are entirely uncorroborated by substantial and competent evidence." Before the arrest, Budd was known as a respected teacher who most recently worked with adult students at South Tech Academy in Boynton Beach, Weiss said. Budd is divorced with three adult children and five grandchildren. Circuit Judge Karen Miller scheduled the next status hearing in the case on Nov. 13. mjfreeman@tribune.com, 561-243-6642 or Twitter @SSCourts
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