Former West Bridgewater Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge

BOSTON—A former 11th grade teacher at West Bridgewater High School was convicted today in federal court of possession of child pornography.

Paul J. Teves, 35, of Fall River, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro to possession of child pornography. Teves was charged and arrested in September 2011.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the government’s evidence would have proven that Teves portrayed himself online as a mother willing to “pimp” out an 11-year-old daughter. After a search warrant, Teves admitted to trading and possessing child pornography.

From 2002 to 2005, Teves was a tennis coach at Bishop Connolly High School. From 2005 until his arrest, Teves was a teacher at West Bridgewater High School, and a coach for the boys and girls track team.

Judge Tauro scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2012. Teves faces up to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Fall River Police Chief Daniel S. Racine made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael I. Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Note: The defendant is not in federal custody.