JCPS teacher indicted on federal child pornography charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A federal grand jury indicted a Louisville high school teacher for child pornography charges.

Brian Hinds, a 51-year-old teacher at duPont Manual High School, was scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Thursday. He admitted to both sending and receiving child sexual abuse material on Telegram, investigators said.

In the criminal complaint from the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Hinds is accused of sending images or videos on five different occasions to the undercover FBI agent. The videos included sexual performances with boys as young 6 years old. According to the complaint, he told the agent he's attracted to young boys and once "messed with" a 7-year-old kid he was babysitting.

In the months leading up to his arrest, the FBI surveilled Hinds both at his home and at work. After he was picked up by police, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Hinds admitted to both sending and receiving the explicit material. He added he's been looking at child pornography "for the last 30 years," investigators said.

Investigators said Hinds is a theater teacher at the Youth Performing Arts School, part of duPont Manual High School in Louisville.

Louisville Metro Police assisted the FBI in the investigation into Hinds, but no agency has identified victims who are current or former Manual students.

"If local victims are later identified, authorities will directly and immediately make contact with victims or the parents/guardians of minor victims," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release Friday.

After Hinds' arrest, Manual High School's principal sent a letter to parents that said the school was "aware of allegations involving a staff member" and said it believes "these allegations are not connected to our school." Principal Michael Newman said the school's counseling and mental health team is available for any students concerned with the news.

Hinds is being held at the Oldham County Jail on charges related to both possession and distribution of child pornography. IF convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison.

The FBI has a special email address for anyone who has more information about the investigation into the case. To reach out, email brianhindstips@fbi.gov.

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