A Kentucky high school teacher has been arrested after he was accused of sending pornographic images to a 9-year-old boy and requesting a nude photo of the child in return.
Kevin Lentz, 49, has spent nearly two decades teaching English at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky, joining the faculty there in 2005. He also volunteered at a youth program at Faith Lutheran Church in Lexington.
However, on Tuesday, Lentz was arrested and charged with nearly two dozen crimes in connection with some disturbing allegations.
According to reports, Lentz began exchanging text messages with a 9-year-old boy sometime last month. Through those exchanges, Lentz allegedly attempted to groom the boy, sending at least 10 pornographic images to him and requesting that the victim send a photo of his genitals in return.
Lentz also asked the victim to delete their text exchanges “so his parents wouldn’t know,” police claimed.
Lentz has been charged with seven counts of use of a minor under 16 in a sex performance, 10 counts of distribution of obscene matters to minors, and six counts of tampering with physical evidence. He remains at the Fayette Detention Center on $50,000 bond. Should he be released on bond, the court has ordered him to avoid all contact with minors.
Fayette County Public Schools has already placed Lentz on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. “We have been made aware of the arrest of Mr. Kevin Lentz,” a statement from the district said. “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. FCPS will fully cooperate with all authorities during their investigation. We remain committed to maintaining a secure and supportive learning environment for all our students.”
Faith Lutheran Church has also removed him from his volunteer role, Pastor Dana Lockhart told the Lexington Times. It is unclear how long he had been involved with the church’s youth program.
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