NORMAN, Okla. — The investigation into a former Norman Middle School teacher continues as police search to find possible victims of child sex crimes.
Joseph Love was arrested, accused of driving to El Reno to meet a young boy for sex.
Not only was Love a middle school teacher at Longfellow Middle School, he also had contact with children through his second job at the State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Norman.
We’re told he was teaching in a summer reading program.
The district says he’s been terminated, and he was reportedly fired from the mental health facility on Tuesday.
They assure that Love was never alone with any of the children, but state officials say they are working closely with police to make sure none of the kids Love has been in contact with have been victimized.
Joseph Love was arrested in an undercover sting.
A Craigslist ad that Love posted read, in part, “I want to talk to any real dads out there who have sons and like to think pervy thoughts about them.”
A response from an undercover agent pretending to be the father of a 9-year-old boy led Love to the Country Club Apartments in El Reno.
When Love arrived at the apartment complex, he thought he was meeting the father and son to have sex with the 9-year-old boy.
Instead, he was greeted by police, who arrested him at the scene.
Investigators say Love was shocked.
“He brought two action figures out for the kid, brought marijuana and alcohol out so him and the father could have a little, socialize first, had the whole night planned out,” Lt. Van Gillock said.
Police are still investigating.
Love wasn’t home when we stopped by Wednesday.
Neighbors who didn’t want to be identified tell us they’re concerned for the safety of the kids who live near him.
“That’s a pretty bad thing to be accused of doing. And I don’t know how you mess up your life at 25 that badly,” one neighbor said.
Police tell us Love had some child pornography on his phone. So right now, they’re looking into whether he made the porn himself, thus victimizing any of the young children.
The 25-year-old teacher is now free on bail.
Love is expected to be arraigned Thursday on a number of charges, including attempting lewd acts with a child under 16.
