Former University Prof. Walter Francis Korte Jr., 74, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography at a hearing in Albemarle County Circuit Court Wednesday morning.
Possession of child pornography is a Class Six felony in Virginia. According to the sentencing guidelines, this crime calls for “a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.”
Korte will serve a maximum jail time of 12 months through a plea agreement Judge Humes Franklin approved Wednesday. Korte’s sentencing is scheduled for August, and the defense may argue for less time.
In July 2016, University police received a call about pornographic images found in a dumpster near Korte’s Bryan Hall office. Korte was arrested Aug. 2 of that year and placed on administrative leave by the University.
In Nov. 2017, Korte tried to enter into a plea agreement with the prosecution, but Judge Cheryl Higgins denied the deal and recused herself from the case. The case was assigned to a new judge Dec. 4.
Korte taught film studies at the University and was the Drama department’s director of film studies for more than 40 years.
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