Former Washington DC teacher arrested, charged with soliciting child pornography
Former Washington, D.C., schoolteacher Devonne Keith Brown, 56, has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly soliciting child pornography from a minor, the Justice Department announced on Monday. Brown, who taught health at the IDEA Public Charter School, is accused of soliciting child sexual abuse materials from a young girl in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
“This individual is no longer employed by the school,” the charter school said in a statement. “The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and supporting their ongoing investigation.”
Brown is facing one count of receipt of child pornography and appeared in court on Monday. He was detained by a judge pending a Thursday hearing. In addition to soliciting child porn, Brown also allegedly used CashApp to send payments to the minor, federal prosecutors revealed.
According to court documents, one comment on a $15 CashApp request sent to Brown from a minor read, “for snacks ? more photos otw.” The unidentified minor told investigators that she met a man named “Joseph” at a grocery store near her home. She said the man sent her money for ice cream via the app. After communicating with the man on social media, she sent him nude images of herself, authorities said. The man who went by “Joseph” also sent the minor images of nude women and asked her to recreate them for him, prosecutors alleged.
Furthermore, authorities found sexually graphic images and videos in emails sent to Brown by minors during their investigation. The FBI Washington Field Office’s Assistant Director, Steven Jensen, stated, “Those who prey on minors to solicit the production of CSAM are morally reprehensible and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes. The FBI remains committed to protecting our children and ridding our communities of this grievous scourge.”
In response to the allegations against Brown, IDEA Public Charter School expressed deep concern and emphasized their commitment to the safety and well-being of their students. The school assured that there is no indication that any IDEA student was directly involved in the case.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the school for further comment. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from exploitation and the need for vigilance in all educational settings.
