THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

BIRMINGHAM &045; Tim Parker, the former chief schools financial officer with Selma City Schools, was released from federal custody Tuesday on bail with strict instructions to not go near a computer or any children.

Charged with three counts of possession and receiving child pornography, U.S. District Judge John E. Ott admonished Parker, outlining the terms of his release. He has been in federal custody since FBI agents arrested Parker at his board of education office on Friday.

He was released on $5,000 bond and placed under house arrest. Parker, 48, is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 1 to answer allegations. His employment with Selma City Schools, where he earned $78,000 a year after being hired in June 2007, has been terminated. (See related story.)

Alert and manerable before the U.S. magistrate, Parker answered, &8220;yes sir&8221; when asked if he understood the terms of his release. Ott told Parker and his Oneota attorney Bill Barnett that if he violated any of the eight stipulations he would be &8220;dealt with.&8221;

Parker was arraigned, waiving the reading of the federal indictment against him, and entered a plea of not guilty. His attorney said he is yet to see the evidence against his client.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Hodge met with Barnett and Parker in Ott’s chambers to iron out the details of his release. Under the terms of his bail, Ott ordered Parker not to go &8220;anywhere near children&8221; 18 and under. He will be confined to his home through the use of electronic monitoring. He can not leave without contacting the court and given permission.

Parker was ordered not to seek employment, &8220;especially at a school system,&8221; Ott said. He is to undergo mental health evaluations.