A former Catholic school teacher in Kentucky, Jordan Fautz, is facing serious charges after allegedly using yearbook photos of students to create child pornography.
The 39-year-old educator, who taught at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic School in Louisville, now confronts up to 120 years in prison if convicted on criminal charges.
Federal prosecutors from the Western District of Kentucky indicted Fautz on charges of distributing child pornography and creating obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse.
The allegations emerged after FBI agents caught Fautz distributing images of nude photo collages, allegedly morphed with non-sexual yearbook photos of minors.
Reports indicate that Fautz used social networking apps to distribute the explicit images, including one involving a minor girl wearing a shirt with the school’s initials standing in front of a school photo backdrop.
An undercover FBI agent engaged with Fautz, leading to his arrest on February 2 and subsequent indictment on February 21.
Furthermore, a lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Louisville suggests that the school overlooked warning signs about Fautz’s behavior for years.
Allegedly, Fautz’s mother, the school’s business manager, was involved in his hiring process. Concerning behavior, including throwing chairs and making threats towards students, reportedly went unaddressed by the school administration.
The lawsuit also alleges an inappropriate relationship between Fautz and a student, with the school imposing restrictions on the student instead of disciplining the teacher.
The legal action was filed by 11 parents and students, claiming negligence by the school in protecting its students.
Amidst the legal proceedings, the diocese confirmed Fautz’s termination after his arrest. However, they have yet to respond to the lawsuit.
Fautz’s next court appearance is scheduled for May, and authorities urge anyone with information about him or his victims to contact the FBI.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding students against abuse and highlights the severity of consequences for those involved in child exploitation offenses.
