KY high school teacher charged with federal child pornography offenses

A high school theater teacher at Louisville’s duPont Manual’s Youth Performing Arts School has been arrested on federal charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.

A federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant were issued Thursday, U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner, of the Western District of Kentucky, announced Friday, alongside FBI officials and Louisville police.

According to the criminal complaint, in August 2025, Brian Hinds, 51, distributed child sexual abuse material depicting prepubescent boys to an undercover officer.

During an Oct. 9, 2025, interview, Hinds admitted to sending and receiving child sexual abuse material through an online messaging application, the complaint said.

“While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not presently identified any victim who is a current or former student of duPont Manual High School,” Bumgarner said in a news release. “If local victims are later identified, authorities will directly and immediately make contact with victims or the parents/guardians of minor victims.”

DuPont Manual Principal Michael Newman also sent a letter to families in the district Thursday.

“We have been made aware of allegations involving a staff member. It is our understanding these allegations are not connected to our school. We are following all JCPS policies and procedures, and while this situation is ongoing, the staff member will not be reporting to duPont Manual/YPAS,” Newman wrote.

Hinds will make his initial appearance Friday in U.S. District Court. If convicted, Hinds faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40.

Federal court officials said Friday afternoon they did not know if Hinds had a lawyer yet.

This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM.