A former Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School teacher admitted Tuesday in federal court in Scranton that he received and distributed child pornography in 2011.
Todd C. Evans, 27, of Saint Clair, pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography.
Senior U.S. District Judge James M. Munley accepted Evans' plea and scheduled sentencing for Oct. 10.
Under the terms of the plea agreement between prosecutors and Evans, the defendant would be sentenced to spend between 10 and 12 years in a federal correctional institution and serve a lifetime on supervised release following his prison sentence. Munley is not bound by the terms of the agreement.
A federal grand jury indicted Evans on Dec. 20, 2011, alleging that from October 2011 to Dec. 7, 2011, he used a computer to download and distribute child pornography.
"The production of such visual depictions involved the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct," the indictment reads in part.
Evans is in federal custody pending sentencing, Heidi Havens, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, said Tuesday.
Smith said Tuesday that the successful prosecution of child pornographers is a priority of his office and an example of what teamwork can accomplish.
"Prosecution of crimes against children, and that is essentially what child pornography is, is one of our highest and most enduring priorities," he said. "We are fortunate to have in place a well-coordinated, experienced and determined group of federal, state and local prosecutors and investigators to continue this great effort."
Evans taught seventh and eighth grades in Saint Clair before being charged Dec. 7, 2011, by the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation with 10 counts of possession of child pornography, three of distribution of child pornography and one of criminal use of a communication facility. However, Schuylkill County prosecutors dropped those charges Jan. 12 due to the federal prosecution.
Schuylkill County District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon declined to comment Tuesday on Evans' case.
The school board fired Evans on April 11. Saint Clair Area Superintendent Kendy Klahr Hinkel declined to comment Tuesday on Evans' case.
The charge against Evans followed an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, state police and the county district attorney's office. Police said they seized hundreds of images and movie files containing child pornography when they raided Evans' house.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case. Defendant: Todd C. Evans
Age: 27
Residence Saint Clair
Crime committed: Receiving and distributing child pornography.