QuickTake:

In a statement soon after the arrest of history professor Andrew Goble, the university said he had been placed on administrative leave.

This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 24 with information about the formal charges filed.

A longtime University of Oregon professor was arrested Friday, Nov. 21, on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Andrew Goble, 72, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, the university announced in a statement. He is a history professor who has written frequently about premodern Japan.

Goble was formally charged Monday, Nov. 24, with 10 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. The charging document did not list any additional charges against Goble, who, upon his arrest, had been booked into Lane County Jail on 10 additional charges of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, which is considered a lesser offense.

The dates given for the alleged criminal activity range from Sept. 27 through Nov. 1. For each count of the charges filed against Goble, prosecutors listed a separate computer file name.

Each count is considered a Class B felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Goble appeared Monday from jail before a judge. He did not have an attorney, but was told he would be eligible for release.

Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Goble a day after after executing a search warrant Thursday, Nov. 20, at a residence on the 1900 block of Dogwood Drive in Eugene, according to a sheriff’s office statement. 

The first-degree charge involves an allegation that Goble “did unlawfully and knowingly duplicate or exchange motion picture or record in visual recording of sexually explicit conduct involving child.” A second-degree charge instead involves an allegation of knowingly possessing or knowingly intending to view child pornography.

“We understand that this news is deeply concerning to our community,” the university said in a statement. “According to law enforcement, the individual does not present any current threat to the university community, and the investigation has found no indication that any students were involved or at risk.”

The university did not immediately respond to a question from Lookout Eugene-Springfield about whether authorities searched any university property.

In the statement, they said: “The university will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.”

Goble joined the UO in fall 1990, a spokesperson said. Goble’s research interests included “Illness, mortality and medical concepts in medieval and 16th century Japan, history of Japan, East Asian civilization, Buddhism,” according to information posted on the university’s website.