Austin County teacher arrested - major child porn possession

[Tucson]

Teacher arrested on child porn charges
By American-Statesman staff | Thursday, October 29, 2009, 10:55 AM

FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE:

HOUSTON — An Austin County grand jury today indicted former elementary school teacher Stephen Wayne Sudduth, 34, of Sealy, on 30 counts of possession of child pornography and 10 counts of promotion of child pornography. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit investigators found more than 57,000 images and 1,000 videos during a forensic examination of Sudduth’s computers and external media devices.

“An elementary school educator possessing thousands of sexually explicit images and video of children frightens parents around the state,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Today’s indictment reflects the Cyber Crime Unit’s continued focus to capture the worst of the worst cyber criminals. Investigators will continue working to stop sexual predators from exploiting children online.”

The Cyber Crimes Unit began investigating Sudduth after a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicated Sudduth possessed child pornography. Cyber Crimes Unit investigators arrested Sudduth after today’s felony indictments. In July, Sudduth resigned from a Hays Consolidated Independent School District teaching job he was set to begin. Sudduth is prohibited from using the Internet and being near children until trial. Assistant Attorney General Brenda Cantu is prosecuting the case.

Before he transferred to Hays Consolidated ISD, Sudduth was an elementary school teacher with the Katy Independent School District. Parents who have questions or relevant information about this case may contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Investigations Division at (800) 252-8011.

Under Texas law, possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Promotion of child pornography is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

For more information, contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or visit the Attorney General’s Web site at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov

To see a video of Sudduth’s arrest, click here.

To read the indictment against Sudduth, click here. (Warning: graphic content)

To read the search warrant for Sudduth, click here.

102809sudduth_warrant.pdf
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[softballgm]

FYI: It was Austin, Tx, Travis County. And your point?

[Tucson]

No point. But, this is a major scum bag off of the streets, down there. I think we should celebrate every time one is arrested.

Welcome to Heybucket.

[Joe]

No point. But, this is a major scum bag off of the streets, down there. I think we should celebrate every time one is arrested.

Welcome to Heybucket.

Down there? You're a fool if you don't think it's happening in your own backyard.

[softballgm]

I agree with you, Tucson. The scary thing is these pervs are not distinguishable from everyday people. They can be our neighbors, co-workers, family members, church members, teachers. They are everywhere. One more away from our kids and off the streets is a very good thing.