Trial begins for former Wilson County principal

Jury selection began Monday for the former principal of Springfield Middle School in Wilson County.

Posted 4:55 p.m. Nov 1, 2010 — Updated 4:55 p.m. Nov 1, 2010

LUCAMA, N.C. — Jury selection began Monday for the former principal of Springfield Middle School in Wilson County.

Ronald Earl Barringer, 41, 3601 West Court West in Wilson, is charged with eight counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. On Dec. 9, authorities found numerous pornographic images showing underage girls engaged in sexual activity on Barringer's computer. He was arrested in March.

A school system spokesperson said the alleged incidents did not happen on school grounds.

The State Bureau of Investigation's Computer Crimes division handled the investigation with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security.

Barringer was appointed principal at Springfield Middle on July 1, 2007, according to the school system. Prior to that, he was the assistant principal at Barnes Elementary School.

Suggest A Correction