UCA professor in porn case resigns

CONWAY -- A University of Central Arkansas economics professor charged with 60 felony counts of possession of child pornography resigned his teaching position Tuesday, saying he feared the distraction of his case is detrimental to students' learning.

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Noel Campbell, 45, of Plumerville was arrested at work April 3 after university police said they found pornographic images on his work computer at his on-campus office. Police also confiscated a personal laptop computer and Campbell's cellphone.

Campbell pleaded innocent to the charges in Faulkner County Circuit Court on Friday.

UCA suspended Campbell without pay and banned him from the campus.

In his letter Tuesday to UCA President Tom Courtway, Campbell wrote that he was "committed to the education and well-being of our students. ... in light of the current circumstances I face at this time, my need to address them, and to the publicity attached to them, I feel that a continued professional association with UCA may be detrimental to this commitment."

Campbell wrote that he resigned his position and tenure effective immediately and said his personal belongings would be removed from his UCA office after the May commencement.

"I think this delay will avoid stress for students and colleagues," he wrote.

He also said he would provide his spring 2015 grade book to UCA through his attorney.

Campbell's next pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 1.

State Desk on 04/16/2015

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