Medina teacher charged with possessing, distributing child porn and enticing a minor
A Medina High School social studies teacher on paid administrative leave has been arrested on federal charges involving child pornography.
According to court records, Kevin L. Hedrick, 37, is charged with two counts: receipt of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct; and enticing or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution or any criminal sexual activity, or attempting to do so.
Medina teacher placed on leave:Medina schools says high school teacher on paid leave related to FBI investigation
The charges were filed Friday in U.S. District Court. His attorney, Donald J. Malarcik Jr., said Hedrick has resigned, effective Jan. 6.
"He will never teach again," Malarchik said.
According to court documents, Hedrick is accused of chatting online with an undercover agent posing as the 28-year-old mother of two underage girls, ages 5 and 14, via an account called “Ohio chastity key holders” on the social media platform Kik.
Following conversations in which Hedrick allegedly agreed to meet with the supposed woman and her 14-year-old for sex, agents obtained search warrants for Hedrick's online accounts, including records from his Verizon telephone account and the Medina City school system's internet service provider, through which log ins into his Kik account were found.
The records state Hedrick allegedly sent 54 media files to other users on Kik between August and Oct. 19 and sent or received a total of 719 images and 281 videos, nearly all of which were sexually explicit in nature and largely depicted girls that an investigator estimated were between the ages of 13 and 19.
When questioned about the texts with the undercover agent, "Hedrick stated that he discussed and fantasized about having sexual relations with the woman and her 14-year-old daughter, but qualified the chats as only descriptive fantasies," according to the investigator's affidavit.
Medina City Schools Superintendent Aaron Sable said in an email to parents that "this situation did not directly impact current Medina City School District students or staff."
"We understand charges of this nature are distressing especially in a school environment involving an educator," Sable said in an email to parents. "We are thankful for the diligence and collaboration of the FBI, local police and district administration to ensure our students and staff remain safe from predators."
Hedrick had been placed on leave in October. At the time, the district said the action was related to an open FBI investigation.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Hedrick earned his education degree at Kent State University, followed by a master of education, secondary school administration/principalship, from the University of Akron. He worked for Barberton Schools for a year before moving to Medina City Schools, where he has worked since 2008.
Sable referred parents to online resources regarding "online dangers, including chat rooms and messaging apps."
"The FBI has free helpful age and grade appropriate activities and resources for students and educators to learn how to surf safely and be more aware when online," he said, referring to information available at sos.fbi.gov.
Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Medina teacher charged with distributing child porn, enticing a minor
