Robert O. Caron taught at Sabattus Elementary School.

PORTLAND – A former Sabattus Elementary schoolteacher pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that he kept child pornography on his home computer.

Robert O. Caron, 58, entered his plea in U.S. District Court more than six months after he was indicted by a federal grand jury.

Prosecutors say they were tipped off to Caron’s possession of child porn in January 2003 after he took his computer to a Lewiston repair shop.

Investigators said a technician noticed photographs of naked children on Caron’s hard drive. The technician then called Lewiston police and was put in contact with the Maine Computer Crimes Task Force.

Police seized Caron’s computer and discs. Investigators said they found several images of children engaged in sex acts on the computer.

Caron has remained free since he was indicted. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date had not been set.