UPDATE: See a new article with more information provided by the Butte County Sheriff's Office here. 

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UPDATE: Despite the statement from Chico State, Action News now checked with District Attorney Mike Ramsey and he says they have not received the case from the Butte County Sheriffs' Office. The DA also says, Dr. Easton has bailed out, and they are waiting to see if they have enough evidence to charge him.  

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CHICO, Calif. – The Butte County Sheriff's Office charged Laird McLeod Easton, a professor in the history department at Chico State, with possession of obscene material containing minors on Jan. 21st. We are still trying to speak with the Butte County Sheriff's Department regarding the charges.

In an official statement from Media Relations Coordinator Sean Murphy the University said:

“The University has learned that one of its employees, Laird Easton, has been charged by the Butte County District Attorney in a child pornography investigation. We are cooperating with the DA’s investigation and the employee has been suspended from teaching and campus activities until further notice. The University encourages anyone with knowledge about this case or any instance of child exploitation or abuse to contact the Butte County District Attorney’s office. Any questions about the charges or ongoing criminal investigation should be directed to the DA’s office.”

This is a developing story and we will post new information as it becomes available.