PRYOR, Okla. —A long-time substitute teacher in a small Oklahoma city is facing felony charges for exposing junior high students to pornography in class.

John Autry, 57, has been charged with felony child neglect for what he reportedly told police was an accidental display of pornography in a classroom of 23 students ranging from 12 to 14 years old.

According to the probable cause affidavit, James Willyard, assistant chief of the Pryor Oklahoma Police Department, spoke to a student at the Pryor Junior High School who said she “heard some of the students laughing so she looked up and noticed that there was a penis on the Smart Board screen.”

Police say Autry admitted to looking at porn throughout the day, but said it ending up on the Smart Board for the students to see was a mistake.

“This was a horrendous breach of our trust by someone who had been vetted,” Pryor Public School Superintendent Don Raleigh said Friday afternoon. “Our biggest concern is our students. We want to make sure they are okay. Mr. Gwartney, the principal, called the parent of every student in that class personally to tell them what was going on.”

Raleigh said he met with staff to address their questions and concerns as well.

“This evening I am sending out a call to parents district wide addressing the issue and any concerns they may have,” Raleigh said.

“The school handled the situation appropriately. When I arrived on scene they had separated Mr. Autry and the students,” Willyard said, adding that he was impressed with how it was handled. “Mr. Raleigh is very transparent and has assisted us in our investigation in every way possible.”

Autry’s bond has been set at $100,000. 

Baron writes for the Pryor, Oklahoma Daily Times.