Gornall pleads no contest in Ashland child porn case

ASHLAND - By changing his plea from not guilty to no contest Thursday, Elliot Gornall indicated he's not done fighting 181 counts of child pornography filed against him.

The former Loudonville teacher accused of videotaping his kindergarten students using the bathroom last year plans to appeal Ashland Common Pleas Judge Ronald Forstheoefel's decision not to exclude some of the evidence collected against him, county Prosecutor Chris Tunnell said.

He pleaded no contest Thursday so he has the ability to appeal, Tunnell said. Forstheofel found him guilty. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 28.

Tunnell said the move was not a part of any agreement with the state.

Gornall, who faces 181 counts of child pornography, has been denying the charges since his arrest last November.

While police were searching his home related to drug charges, they found 14 pairs of young girls' underwear. Authorities also found a book with images of nude children.

A search of Gornall's computer revealed 300-plus images and 60-plus videos of child pornography, some of which involved his kindergarten students. Over a four-month period last year, authorities allege Gornall used a pinhole camera to film 16 female students and seven males using the restroom.

He tried to get photographs of two other males but did not, according to his indictment.

Gornall's attorneys, Andrew Hyde and Ross Benson, argued the images were found and collected in violation of Gornall's rights. They filed a request to suppress the child pornography evidence found on Gornall's computer.

Earlier in October, Forsthoefel denied that motion, saying authorities would have found the items regardless during their search for drug activity.

kdurbin@gannett.com

419-521-7205

Twitter: @njKaitlinDurbin