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UPDATE: Former UAH lecturer sentenced for child pornography, related charges

Michael Mcginnis was arrested last august and charged with committing sex acts with a minor, possessing child pornography, and providing drugs to a minor.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — UPDATE:

McGinnis pled guilty to 18 counts of child pornography, obsession of obscene matter. That carries a sentence of 10 years on each count (Class C felony). That's a total of sentence of 180 years. Under the statute, the sentence for a first time Class C felony must be split, so the sentence is "split with 30 years to serve". The second case he pled to was traveling to meet a child for a sex act. That's a Class A felony with a sentence of 10-99 years. he pled to 30 years on that. The entirety of the 30 years (day-for day) for the first case must be served.

A former University of Alabama in Huntsville English lecturer will find out his fate in court tomorrow, May 18, 2022 after he was charged with multiple sex offenses involving a minor, according to Cullman County District Attorney.

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office first arrested 41-year-old Michael Lee McGinnis on August 26 for attempting to provide drugs to a minor. Investigators seized McGinnis's cellphone and through a search warrant discovered at least 18 images of child pornography, the district attorney said.

The district attorney says further investigation was done after the victim, a minor, disclosed "disturbing information" to investigators.

McGinnis was arrested on Sept. 20. The original warrant was for 18 counts of possession of child pornography. Additional warrants were added for:

  • Traveling to meet a child for sex acts
  • Electronic solicitation of a child
  • Sodomy in the second degree
  • Enticing a child for immoral purposes

According to the district attorney, the initial investigation stemmed from a tip from a concerned citizen.

McGinnis was previously listed as an English lecturer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

According to McGinnis' curriculum vitae, he has taught at UAH since 2016. He taught various undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Before his time at UAH, he taught at Wayne State University and Tiffin University.

UAH told FOX54 in a statement that McGinnis was placed on leave, removed from all teaching and administrative duties, and prohibited from returning to campus and contacting members of the campus community after officials were made aware of the charges on September 21.

Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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