Former High School Teacher Sentenced to 12 Years and 7 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

Jefferson County, KY -A former high school teacher from Jefferson County was sentenced today to more than 12 years in federal prison for three counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement.

Brian Hinds, 52, was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, for distributing child pornography to an undercover agent and possessing child pornography on his cellular phone. Hinds was ordered to pay $26,500 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. A review of Hinds' phone revealed he possessed 3,326 images and 65 videos of child pornography. During an interview conducted on October 9, 2025, Hinds admitted to both sending and receiving child sexual abuse material through online messaging applications. Hinds was previously employed as a theater teacher at DuPont Manual High School's Youth Performing Arts School. The investigation did not reveal any Manual students in any of the 3,326 images or the 65 videos of child pornography possessed by Hinds.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "Distribution of child pornography is always a heinous crime, but Hinds' actions are particularly disturbing. Outwardly, Hinds appeared to dedicate his life to educating and helping children but under the cloak of darkness and perceived anonymity he was disgustingly betraying his profession and the public's trust by distributing disgusting child sexual abuse materials. Hinds has earned every last minute of his 151 month sentence."

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Spencer McKiness prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. and click on the tab "resources."

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