Former Mt. Ararat employee arrested for child pornography

Nathan Valentine, 32, failed to appear in court on charges of possessing explicit material of a minor

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A former employee at Mt. Ararat Middle and High schools in Maine, Nathan Valentine, 32, has been arrested by Portland police on charges of possessing sexually explicit material of a child under 12 years old. Valentine previously worked in the Maine School Administrative 75 district, but his employment ended in May 2023, shortly before the district announced a police investigation into an ex-employee.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of students in the Mt. Ararat school district, as well as the broader issue of child exploitation and the need for rigorous background checks and monitoring of school employees.

The details

According to police, Valentine failed to appear for his arraignment and was arrested 'without incident' in South Portland on Friday. The specific details of the allegations against Valentine have not been made publicly available, as the court documents were not immediately accessible at the time of reporting.

  • On May 17, 2023, Valentine's employment with the Maine School Administrative 75 district ended.
  • In late May 2023, the district superintendent announced a police investigation into an ex-employee, though no names were provided at the time.
  • On February 24, 2026, Valentine was arrested by Portland police for failing to appear in court on charges of possessing sexually explicit material of a child under 12 years old.

The players

Nathan Valentine

A 32-year-old former employee of the Maine School Administrative 75 district, who is accused of possessing sexually explicit material of a child under 12 years old.

Heidi O'Leary

The superintendent of the Maine School Administrative 75 district, who confirmed Valentine's previous employment and announced an investigation into an ex-employee in late May 2023.

Maine School Administrative 75

The school district that employed Nathan Valentine, who is now facing charges related to child exploitation material.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The allegations against the employee are deeply unsettling, though I cannot share further information.”

— Heidi O'Leary, Superintendent, Maine School Administrative 75 (pressherald.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Valentine to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of thorough background checks, ongoing monitoring, and swift action to protect students from any potential harm by school employees. It also underscores the need for robust policies and procedures to address allegations of child exploitation within educational institutions.