Former High School Teacher Indicted for Production and Possession of Child Pornography

May 3, 2010 - SHREVEPORT, LA—Stephen McKay Hurst, 37, of Lafayette, La., a former teacher at Acadiana High School, was indicted for production, attempted production, and possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney William J. Flanagan announced today. Hurst was charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count each of attempted production of child pornography, using a facility in interstate commerce to cause a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, possession of child pornography, and obstruction of justice. Hurst will appear for arraignment before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna in U.S. District Court in Lafayette at a date to be set.

Hurst has been detained since his arrest on March 29, 2010. If convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and maximum sentence of 30 years and a $250,000 fine, or both, for each count of production and attempted production of child pornography. Using a facility in interstate commerce to solicit a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Possession of child pornography is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Obstruction of justice is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lafayette Resident Agency, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Luke Walker.