East Hampton Middle School Teacher Indicted

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an indictment on Monday charging Richard D. Hendrick, 31, of Horse Hill Road, Ashford, with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that from at least May 10, 2010, through May 19, 2010, Hendricks used the Internet to receive images and videos of child pornography. The indictment further alleges that, on June 6, 2011, Hendricks possessed images and videos of child pornography.

If convicted of the charge of possession of child pornography, Hendricks faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  If convicted of the charge of receipt of child pornography, Hendricks faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Hendricks has been detained since his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations agents on June 9, 2011.  At the time of his arrest, Hendricks was a computer teacher at the East Hampton Middle School.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Deborah Slater and Ray Miller.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative and the District of Connecticut’s “Operation Constant Vigilance,” which are aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.