A former Dolgeville elementary school teacher pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to possessing child pornography, officials from the U.S. Attorney's office said.

John J. Schmidt Jr., 52, of 124 South Main St. in Dolgeville, admitted receiving child pornography over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Pavone said.

Schmidt was charged in November by the U.S. Attorney's office after an investigation by the FBI and the state police.

Schmidt admitted he joined an Internet Egroup known as "The Candyman," which distributed child pornography, according to the release from Pavone's office.

A search warrant at Schmidt's residence revealed computer zip diskettes containing more than 400 graphic file images and six movie files that depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit activities, officials said.

Schmidt, who was a teacher at Dolgeville Elementary school, agreed to voluntarily resign from his job with the school and surrender his teaching license, officials said. He also agreed to give up his home computer.

Dolgeville Superintendent Sharon Colpoys, who was previously the district elementary school principal, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr. scheduled Schmidt's sentencing for Jan. 3, 2003. He faces a maximum possible penalty of five years in jail and a $250,000 fine, officials said.