News

Former JMU professor, Charlottesville resident sentenced for possession of child pornography

Former JMU professor, Charlottesville resident sentenced for possession of child pornography

Photo: Saga Communications


CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – William Chisholm Van Norman, Charlottesville resident and a former James Madison University professor, has been sentenced to serve two years and nine months in prison for possession of child pornography, second offense, according to Charlottesville Circuit Court online records.

Van Norman, 69, was arrested April 29, following a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. JMU’s former Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Studies chairperson pleaded guilty in November. He was placed on leave by the school and then dismissed.

Van Norman received a 15-year sentence, with 12 years and three months suspended, according to the court records. He will also serve two years of supervised probation upon his release.

The time he has spent under house arrest will go toward his sentence.

Latest Stories

11 hours ago in Entertainment

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni go to New York in required effort to avoid trial

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni came to a New York courthouse on Wednesday to see if her lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of the 2024 romantic drama "It Ends With Us" could be settled before a May trial.

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

Seahawks enjoy morning beers, praise ‘best team in the world’ as Seattle celebrates Super Bowl title

Ernest Jones IV dropped a few choice words while praising his defensive teammates, his offensive line, his quarterback and the city of Seattle ahead of the Seahawks' Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Trending

James Van Der Beek, the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star who later mocked his own hunky persona, has died at 48

James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in "Dawson's Creek" and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died. He was 48.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Oscar hopefuls including Jessie Buckley and Timothée Chalamet gather for luncheon and class picture

Nearly all of the 230 people up for Oscars across 24 categories gathered Tuesday for the Academy Award nominees luncheon, an event that functions as a celebration, group portrait session and orientation for next month's big ceremony.

2 days ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

Winter Olympics recap: Shiffrin out of the medals again, Klaebo wins another gold

Make that seven straight races without a medal for Mikaela Shiffrin at the Winter Olympics. The American skiing standout was given the ideal platform to win the new team combined event after partner Breezy Johnson led the opening downhill leg on Tuesday.