JCPS teacher under investigation and 'no longer reporting' to Manual High School

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Jefferson County Public Schools teacher under investigation was booked into the Oldham County Jail on Thursday after being arrested by the FBI on child pornography charges.

Louisville Metro Police confirms it assisted the FBI with an investigation into Brian Hinds. The United States Attorney's Office said in a news release Friday that Hinds is accused of distributing child sexual abuse material to officers online working undercover.

Hinds admitted to both sending and receiving child sexual abuse material, investigators said.

JCPS confirmed a staff member "will not be reporting" to Manual High School, which includes the Youth Performing Art School (YPAS). Hinds was listed Thursday as a theater teacher at YPAS on the district's website.

On Thursday, 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.

Online jail records show Hinds was booked into the Oldham County Detention Center sometime Thursday afternoon.

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

'We are thinking that our kids will be safe'

The news left many parents and community members in shock.

"That's shocking, because, even yesterday, I did attend the Prism concert," one parent said.

Most afternoons, a line of cars forms behind YPAS as parents pick up their children. Many, like Lavonda Weber, said they trusted the school to keep their kids safe.

"Honestly, first of all, it is shocking because we trust our school and the teachers when we are sending our kids," Weber said. "Almost half of the time, they are here. So if we are working or if we are at home, we are thinking that our kids will be safe somewhere."

Hinds' LinkedIn profile lists him as a theater faculty member at YPAS, part of JCPS, since 2012.

The reason for the FBI's involvement has not been disclosed. A bureau spokesperson said in a written statement they can't comment on the pending investigation.

Weber, speaking on the phone with her husband, a former criminal corrections worker, said "We blind ourselves that anybody can put on a suit, you can put on the clothing. But if I'm a judge of character, I look at how they carry themselves."

Hinds hasn't responded to a request for comment.

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