by | Published
Hays County District Judge Sherri K. Tibbe has sentenced 33-year-old Kevin McLean, a former middle school teacher in Hays County, to a total of 60 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of child pornography. The sentences, handed down on April 29, will run consecutively, meaning 10 years for each count.
McLean’s arrest in 2022 stemmed from an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior towards students. The case began when his wife contacted police after discovering inappropriate communications with several female middle school students on his phone. Law enforcement seized McLean’s phone and interviewed the students he had communicated with.
The investigation, conducted by the Hays County Sheriff’s Department and the Austin Police Department, revealed that McLean had engaged in grooming behavior. He sent nude photos of himself to female students and attempted to convince them to send him pictures in return. Additionally, the investigation uncovered that McLean had provided or sold alcohol and illegal narcotics, including THC vape pens and prescription drugs, to some students. While no child pornography involving students from the middle school was found, and there were no reports of sexual contact with students, the extent of his predatory actions was clearly established.
Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hansen, who prosecuted the case, stated, “We hope this verdict provides healing and closure to the families whose lives were impacted by this defendant’s abuse of trust as an educator in our community.”
Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins added, "Students and their families should be able to trust that school is safe. We will hold anyone who violates that trust accountable.”
