Story Published:
Sep 30, 2008 at 5:47 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 30, 2008 at 5:47 PM CST
EBENEZER, Mo. -- A former firefighter faces child pornography charges. The charges shocked Matthew Hite's former co-workers at the Ebenezer Fire Protection District.
"We're totally unaware of anything that occurred,” said Assistant Chief Nelson Prewitt.
Prewitt did know Hite, 37, resigned on Sept. 22 but didn't know why. Now he knows, hours after Hite dropped off his boots and a handwritten note. He was in federal custody, hours after that, facing two charges that he received and kept child pornography on a computer from November 2006 to April 2008.
“It's scary,” Prewitt said. “Mr. Hite had been around the Ebenezer Fire Department, in and out, for the last 15 years."
When he wasn't working with them, he worked for Brookline, Battlefield, and the City of Rogersville.
"Background checks had been done, everything was performed to ensure public safety,” said Prewitt.
What those can't show is what may come. Hite is still in federal custody and the U.S. Attorney's office has asked that he be held without bond until trial.
