Parents are threatening to pull their children out of a school in Oklahoma after learning the principal was previously charged with the possession of child sexual abuse materials. Despite backlash, Western Heights Public School District in Oklahoma is defending its hiring of Shane Murnan, stating that “usual hiring practices” were followed.
While working as a fifth-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary School in 2001, Murnan, then aged 30, was arrested for possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and six grams of marijuana.
The charges against Murnan were initially dropped by a Special District Court judge after he ruled the individuals depicted in the imagery could not be proven with certainty to be below the age of 18. But after several hearings, an Appeals Court judge determined that “it is clear from a review of the pictures that they do represent child pornography.”
Despite this confirmation, the charges against Murnan would ultimately be dismissed.
After beginning his drag career, Murnan continued his role in educator positions.
Oklahoma City Public School data reveals that Murnan’s positions have been held in schools where students were particularly vulnerable due to language barriers and economic disadvantages.
In 2018, Murnan co-founded Oklahoma City Drag Queen Story Hour.
In addition to his drag persona, Murnan applied to receive credentials as a Christian Minister in 2014.