DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An appeals court has upheld the conviction of a former college professor on child porn charges, officials said.
Mark Fugler, 63, was convicted in June 2019 on charges of showing pornography and his genitals to a 7-year-old girl. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but later released on $200,000 bond while appealing his case.
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His release sparked outrage from Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and the girl’s family, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
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The former Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor was free for 19 days before judge revoked the bond and sent Fugler back to jail.
The 5th District Court of Appeals in Daytona Beach affirmed the conviction in an order released Tuesday.
Chitwood told the newspaper that he was pleased with the decision, but that it was unfortunate that the girl and her family had to be victimized again by Fugler’s initial release.
“It’s just sad that the little girl had to go through this,” Chitwood said.