High School Coach in Topeka Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Minors

TOPEKA, Kan. – A basketball coach at Seaman High School was charged today with sexually exploiting minors, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Jeffrey D. Pierce, 40, Topeka, Kan., is charged with two counts of producing child pornography (counts 1 and 2) and one count of possessing child pornography (count 3). The production crimes are alleged to have occurred March 10 and March 14, 2020. The possession crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 2, 2020.

If convicted, Pierce could face a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison on each production count, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.