by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- The city terminated the employment of an equipment operator in its service division April 25 after he was accused of possession of child pornography.
Hudson resident Herbert D. Twiggs, 56, was arrested by Hudson police April 23 and charged with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, a fifth-degree felony. Twiggs was arraigned at Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court the same day and released on a $25,000 bond.
Twiggs, who has not entered a plea, is scheduled to appear May 7 for a preliminary hearing at Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court. His attorney Brendon J. Kohrs said May 1 he had no comment on the case.
City Manager Anthony Bales said two city employees found Twiggs' personal cell phone April 8 on the seat of a city truck after Twiggs ran an errand in another vehicle. When looking at the phone to determine ownership, they came across a "disturbing photo" of a child and reported it, according to Bales.
Twiggs' supervisor contacted Bales April 8 and made a criminal complaint to Hudson police.
Twiggs was out of town for a week on vacation while police investigated the complaint, said Hudson Police Chief David Robbins.
Twiggs was arrested April 23 at work and brought to the police station while 130 items were seized from his home where he lives with his mother, Robbins said. Computer equipment, compact disks, photographs and a briefcase were some of the items seized.
Robbins said the U.S. Secret Service, which is better equipped to investigate a crime of this nature than a local agency, is reviewing the computer and 76 disks.
"We asked for their assistance," Robbins said. "They will analyze the computer and CDs to see what is on them and if they contain any more evidence of child pornography."
Twiggs was hired as a seasonal employee in 2003 and became a full-time employee in August 2004 as an equipment operator in the service division, said Jody Roberts, city communications manager. He is a member of the Teamster union and earned $21.65 per hour.
Bales said Twiggs violated the city's policy for employees, including rules about indecent behavior while on city premises, sexual and unlawful harassment policy violations, and a code of ethics, which states employees should conduct themselves above reproach at all times.
Assistant City Manager Paula Ryan said Twiggs has until May 5 to appeal his termination.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150