A Heavenly Mountain Resort children’s ski school instructor was indicted April 5 on child pornography charges.

Stephan L. DeGraffenreid

Stephan L. DeGraffenreid, 26, of Gardnerville faces one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of possession of child pornography and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

He has been let go by the ski resort.

Law enforcement said the illicit photos were on DeGraffenreid’s iPod that was found at the ski resort. Officers said more photos were found at his residence.

“We have no reason to believe that the alleged activity has any connection to Heavenly Ski Resort or its guests. The alleged activity is abhorrent to everything that our resort stands for and we remain available to cooperate with the authorities in their investigation, if requested,” resort spokesman Kevin Cooper said in a statement.

The FBI, along with Washoe and El Dorado County sheriff’s departments are leading the investigation. If convicted, DeGraffenreid faces 15 years in prison for each charge.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report