Watauga, TEXAS

First Reported Nov 28, 2006 -
Additional charges have been filed against Carl Mason Jr., 21, a daycare worker at Children's Palace Christian Learning Center, accused of molesting nine children from his pre-kindergarten class.

Mason is charged with six counts of indecency/fondling, one count of aggravated sexual assault, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of sexual performance by a child/promote, which includes the publication or distribution of sexual depictions of a child.

"Mason sent the school a letter on Sept. 1 saying that he had tried to change, but admitted that he had destroyed his teaching career, according to the search affidavit." He remains in jail.

UPDATE June 22, 2007 - SENTENCED - Mason pleaded guilty to seven charges of indecency with a child, two cases of sexual performance by a child and one case each of aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography.

The former teacher was sentenced to 40 years on the aggravated sexual assault charge, 20 years each on the indecency cases and 10 years each on the possession and sexual performance charges. The sentences will run concurrently, prosecutors said.

Mason will be eligible for a parole in 20 years, authorities said.

He pleaded guilty on the day jury selection was to begin.