MT. PLEASANT (AP) -- A professor whose research focuses on Internet censorship and the use of children in advertising has resigned after being charged with having child pornography on his Central Michigan University computer.
The school last week suspended William L. Merrill and barred him from the campus in Mount Pleasant, about 120 miles northwest of Detroit. It says he submitted his resignation Monday.
According to the university, its information technology employees found "inappropriate material" on Merrill's computer Nov. 5, and it suspended him that day.
Isabella County prosecutors charged Merrill last Wednesday with distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography, and using a computer to commit a crime. He also was charged with possession of a switchblade.
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