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WEBVTT THE WEEKEND, COMING UP. HALEY: A CAMERON TEACHER IS IN JAIL CHARGED WITH 7 FELONY SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN. I’M HALEY HARRISON. STEVEN: I’M STEVEN ALBRITTON. THE PROSECUTOR SAYS HE VICTIMIZED AT LEAST THREE CHILDREN. THE CHARGES INCLUDE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, SEXUAL EXPLOITATION , AND STATUTORY SODOMY. BRIAN JOHNSON REPORTS NEIGHBORS KNEW HIM AS AN AVID COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AND TEACHER. REPORTER: THIS IS THE HOME OF WILLIAM DEREK WILLIAMS. >> I WAS ALWAYS KIND OF CAUTIOUS OF HIM. HE GAVE ME A WEIRD FEELING. REPORTER: THE FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER LIVED ONLY A BLOCK FROM WHERE HE TAUGHT. HE INSTRUCTED MULTIMEDIA CLASS ONE HOUR A WEEK AND DRAMA, DIRECTING THE SCHOOL MUSICALS AND PLAYS. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST SAID THAT THEY FELT WEIRD AROUND HIM. I COULD DEFINITELY EMPATHIZE WITH THAT. REPORTER: SKYLER STEELE LIVES NEXT DOOR. THE PROSECUTOR SAYS MANY OF THE ALLEGED CRIMES HAPPENED INSIDE WILLIAMS’ BASEMENT. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT’S OCCURRED FROM ALL THIS . HE’S A REALLY TRUSTED MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IT’S JUST REALLY SHOCKING. REPORTER: KMBC 9 CAPTURED THIS INTERVIEW OF WILLIAMS WHILE HE VOLUNTEERED AT QUALITY NORTHWEST MISSOURI, A CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER. HE ALSO WORKED FOR NORTHWEST MISSOURI FOSTER ADOPT CONNECT, A NONPROFIT CHILD-WELFARE RESOURCE CENTER. >> YOU THINK THAT MAYBE HE LIKE CHOSE THAT CAREER PATH SO THAT HE COULD GET CLOSE TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN. REPORTER: THE 7 FELONY CRIMES HE’S CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY TOOK PLACE BETWEEN JANUARY 2015 AND >> YOU’VE GOT TO BE REALLY CAREFUL WHO YOU TRUST YOUR CHILDREN WITH. IT’S A SCARY WORLD. REPORTER: WILLIAMS TURNED HIMSELF IN TO THE CLINTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON. HE’S IN THE JAIL TONIGHT ON $500,000 CASH ONLY BOND. REPORTING LIVE, BRIAN JOHNSON. STEVEN: THE CASE IS S

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A Cameron High School teacher and prominent community volunteer is now facing charges in Clinton County.The Clinton County prosecutor charged William "Derek" Williams on Wednesday with three felony counts of possession of child pornography, three felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one felony count of statutory sodomy.Williams worked with Cameron High School’s multimedia class for one hour a day. He also directed school musicals and plays.Earlier this month, Cameron R1 Superintendent Matt Robinson put Williams on administrative leave, pending the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office investigation. Robinson said a process will now start with the Board of Education to determine Williams future with the district.Williams is a well-connected community volunteer. He volunteered at several community organizations, like Camp Quality Northwest Missouri, a camp for kids with cancer. “I can’t be more shocked. This is extremely disheartening. We are obviously very, very disappointed. We’ll be reaching out to any of our campers that we may be aware that have been working with him and informing them of the charges,” said Camp Quality director Patricia Harris.Harris said nothing appeared in any criminal background checks, or interviews that would have given the organization concern about Williams.Williams last worked at Camp Quality Northwest Missouri in June 2017.He also worked for a short time at the Northwest Missouri branch of Foster Adopt Connect, a nonprofit child-welfare resource center, establishing a community clothing pantry for foster and adoptive families in Cameron. He discontinued his work in Cameron, when the branch moved to Chillicothe, said FosterAdopt Connect President Lori Ross."Derek Williams and his wife were Missouri foster and adoptive parents. We became acquainted with him when he served as a member of the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board."Derek volunteered with FosterAdopt Connect for about a year and a half to assist with bringing resources to foster and adoptive families in Cameron, Missouri, and surrounding counties. He has had no connection to our organization for the past year. We are unaware of any inappropriate issues, or opportunities for such issues, during his relationship with our organization."People who serve as foster and adoptive parents must pass FBI fingerprint background checks as well as several other checks to assure to the highest extent possible that no previous history of illegal or dangerous behaviors exists. FosterAdopt Connect also background checks all volunteers who work in proximity to children. Unfortunately, these prevention efforts are not 100% effective, especially if no previous known history exists."Like the rest of our close community, FosterAdopt Connect is shocked and saddened to learn of these allegations. We advocate tirelessly for the safety and well-being of Missouri’s most vulnerable children, and will continue to do so. Our hearts go out to anyone directly impacted by this situation."Williams has been arrested. He is being held on $500,000 cash bond.