PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A third-grade teacher has been indicted in federal court after he allegedly attempted to send an obscene message to a child, who ended up being an undercover agent.
According to a federal indictment from the United States District Court Middle District of Florida, Lee Hughes has been charged with one count of attempted transmission of harmful material.
WATCH: Former 3rd-grade teacher faces charges for attempting to have sex with child
The indictment said Hughes had messaged an undercover account in June of 2024 and talked about "getting into nude time at the home." Hughes messaged the undercover account a couple of times wanting to connect.
Hughes discussed with the undercover his interest in a sexually open household and wanted to babysit a purported nine-year-old female child. Hughes told the undercover, "I'd definitely love her on my lap lol" the indictment said.
The undercover then sent Hughes a photo of the nine-year-old, fully clothed. Hughes sent back a message with his genitals exposed and a message that said "should show and see if she likes lol," the indictment said.
From June 2024 until the present day, the indictment alleged Hughes was consistently messaging the undercover about sexual abuse he wanted to inflict on the nine-year-old.
He allegedly sent the undercover officer ten different pictures and videos of his genitals and requested that he show the nine-year-old.
ABC Action News is posting Hughes’ mugshot because investigators say he is in a position of power over children the same age as the alleged intended victim.
On May 1, Hughes went to a location to meet the child and was arrested.
The day after the arrest, Pinellas Prep Academy parents received a message from the school saying he was fired.
Pinellas Prep provided this statement on his arrest
PPA was not aware of any investigation into Mr. Hughes until he had already been taken into custody. As soon as we were told he was taken into custody he was immediately terminated. We were told initially and have been reassured that at this time there are no suspected improper activities or interactions between Mr. Hughes and any student at PPA.Additionally, every person who works at PPA must pass a Level II background check. This process includes employees being fingerprinted, their background check being run by law enforcement, and review by the School District for clearance to hire. Mr. Hughes had successfully passed the required background check. In short, PPA had no indication that there was anything in Mr. Hughes’ background or an investigation into any current activity by Mr. Hughes that endangered the safety of students at PPA.The health, safety, and welfare of our students and employees is of most importance at PPA. The administration is following up with law enforcement to understand why the investigation into Mr. Hughes was not brought to the school's attention any earlier than after his arrest.We will continue to offer services to students and stakeholders in the PPA community. Please reach out to us if you have any concerns. PPA remains and will continue to be an amazing educational option for its current students and students in the future.
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This policy started in early 2021
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