COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. () – The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a now former Richmond County teacher for allegedly possessing explicit pictures of children.

43-year-old Ryan Thomas Manley was arrested July 3rd.

Authorities say Manley had about 40 images of Child Sexual Assault Material at a home on Calloway Drive in Evans.

He’s charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and remains in the Columbia County Jail.

According to Richmond County School System, Manley’s last day on the job at Richmond Hill Middle School was May 28^th. When he left Richmond Hill, he was working as their media specialist.

According to the school system, Manley’s last day of employment at Richmond Hill Middle was five days after the last day of school on Friday, May 23^rd.

He had previously been listed as a 7^th Grade Social Studies teacher on the school website during the 2023 to 2024 school year.