Durham Academy families received an email on Tuesday informing them that a former athletic coach was arrested on charges of alleged possession of child pornography.
On Wednesday, the school confirmed Sumner Virkler, a 21-year-old track and field coach at Durham Academy, is facing charges. Durham police arrested him on July 15.
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According to court records, Virkler is facing ten counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor for possessing 10 videos of sexually explicit material of children who were believed to be between the ages of five and 13 years old.
A Durham judge denied him bond. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 8:45 a.m.
The email from Durham Academy read in part:
A former assistant middle school track & field coach was recently arrested on charges related to the alleged possession of child pornography.
We understand that this news may be deeply troubling. The individual is also a Durham Academy alumnus. He served as an assistant coach during the spring 2026 season.
At this time, we have received no information to suggest that the charges are connected to any Durham Academy students, families or school activities.
The school told WRAL the safety and well-being of their students is their highest priority.