Music teacher charged with pawning instruments

ORANGE CITY, Fla. (AP) -- A former central Florida music teacher has been charged with pawning instruments that belonged to the school where he worked.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office reports that 26-year-old James Morris was arrested Wednesday and charged with 14 counts of dealing in stolen property. He was later released on $21,000 bail.

Deputies began investigating after six students at University High School in Orange City reported their guitars stolen. Two guitars, two violins, a digital camera, a video camera and a laptop belonging to the school also went missing.

The sheriff's office says Morris, who claimed to have a gambling problem, confessed to taking the instruments earlier this month and resigned from his job. Investigators say Morris made $825 between October and January.

No telephone listing could be found for Morris.