Louisville theater teacher accused of distributing child porn

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — A teacher at a Louisville high school youth theater program was arrested on Thursday in connection with an operation by Project Safe Childhood investigated by Louisville police and the FBI.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Briand Hinds, 51, was arrested on Oct. 9 and charged with distributing and possessing child pornography.

Officials with the Western District of Kentucky wrote that in August, Hinds allegedly sent material depicting prepubescent boys to undercover officers using “online messaging applications.”

Hinds is reportedly employed as a theater teacher at DuPont Manual High School’s Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).

Louisville’s Fox affiliate, WDRB, reported on Friday that Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) confirmed a staff member would not be reporting to DuPont Manual, which includes YPAS, but on Oct. 12, FOX 56 News attempted to access JCPS’s employee directory online, only to find an error message on the district’s website.

“While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not presently identified any victim that is a current or former student of duPont Manual High School,” The attorney’s office wrote. “If local victims are later identified, authorities will directly and immediately make contact with victims or the parents/guardians of minor victims.”

If convicted of the charges against him, authorities said Hinds would face a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with no parole in the federal system. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

WDRB reported that the reason for the FBI’s involvement has not been disclosed.

Anyone with information about Hinds that may help in the investigation is asked to contact the Louisville FBI field office at (502) 263-6000 or email brianhindstips@fbi.gov.