A Hays County middle school teacher has been handed a 60-year prison term for child pornography possession. The Hays County Criminal District Attorney's Office confirmed that 33-year-old Kevin McLean, who pled guilty to six counts, received a decade-long sentence for each count, set to run back-to-back. The sentencing took place on April 29, as Judge Sherri K. Tibbe of the Hays County District Court determined the fate of the former educator.
According to the announcement by Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins, McLean's arrest back in 2022 followed his wife's report of inappropriate communications discovered on his phone with several female middle school students. A search of McLean's phone by law enforcement revealed the disturbing evidence, although none of the material involved students from his school, and there were no reports of sexual contact with a student.
Further probing into the case indicated McLean's engagement in predatory behavior, grooming female students by sending them explicit images of himself and attempting to entice them into reciprocating. The Hays County Sheriff’s Department and the Austin Police Department conducted the investigation which also uncovered McLean's distribution of alcohol and drugs to students, including THC vape pens and prescription medication.
In the wake of the trial, Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hansen expressed hopes for healing, stating, "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." Meanwhile, District Attorney Higgins highlighted the importance of student safety and trust in the school system, affirming the commitment to prosecute those who breach this trust. The case serves as a stark reminder of the duty of vigilance and the necessity of safeguarding the well-being of students within educational institutions.
