Former Elementary School Employee Sentenced to Serve 45 Years in Federal Prison for Production Of Child Pornography and Possession Of Child Pornography

OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, GREG ALLEN HENKE, 43, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was sentenced to serve 540 months in federal prison for production of child pornography and possession of material containing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

"Henke violated his position of trust as an educator of special needs children when he chose to sexually abuse and exploit these vulnerable children who could not defend themselves," said U.S. Attorney Troester.  "Although no sentence can restore the innocence to these child victims, our community is safer with him behind bars.  Today’s sentence sends a clear message that my office and the FBI stand ready to respond with thorough investigations, aggressive prosecutions, and determined advocacy in pursuing those who seek to abuse children, whether it occurs behind a keyboard or closed doors."

"Henke preyed on innocent children without regard for the grievous and long-lasting harm his depraved conduct would cause them," said Edward J. Gray, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. "The FBI will never waver in its commitment to protecting our society's most vulnerable citizens. I'm extremely proud of the collaborative effort that ensured this defendant will never be able to harm children again."

On September 7, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment that charged Henke with attempted access with intent to view child pornography, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, possession of child pornography, and two counts of production of child pornography.   Specifically, the Superseding Indictment alleges that between 2019 and 2021, Henke used two minor students at a local elementary school to engage in sexually explicit conduct and used his cell phone to capture the sexually explicit conduct.  On November 15, 2021, Henke pleaded guilty to one count of possession of material containing child pornography and one count of production of child pornography.

At yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Henke to serve 540 months in federal prison for his conduct, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.He also ordered Henke to pay $87,000 in restitution to his victims.  In imposing the sentence, Judge Heaton noted Henke’s history and characteristics, stating Henke had at least a twenty year history of sexually abusing children.  Further, Judge Heaton highlighted the serious nature and circumstances of Henke’s offenses, noting Henke’s position of trust as an educator of special needs children and that Henke exploited those who are the most vulnerable in our society

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.