Former Maryland Teacher and Coach Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography and Abuse

Christopher Speights, a former substitute teacher and youth basketball coach in Prince George’s County, Maryland, was sentenced in 2018 to 35 years in federal prison for the production of child pornography. He previously pleaded guilty to a series of charges stemming from the sexual abuse and exploitation of numerous children.

Speights had worked for nearly a decade as a substitute teacher at Bradbury Heights Elementary School and served as a coach for both Prince George’s County Public Schools and South County Sports Academy. Known to many of his victims as “Coach Chris,” he used his positions of trust and authority to gain access to children, some of whom he later exploited and abused.

Federal prosecutors reported that at least 59 minor victims were identified. Speights recorded some of the abuse himself, including an incident in 2016 during a youth basketball trip to North Carolina where he used a hidden camera in a hotel bathroom to film young boys. He also coerced minors into recording or photographing other children.

The abuse came to light after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children referred a tip to law enforcement in late 2016. A forensic review of Speights’ digital devices, seized during a search of his residence in April 2017, uncovered hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse—some produced by Speights himself.

In addition to the federal charges, Speights pleaded guilty to related charges at the state level in Maryland. He admitted to the distribution and possession of child pornography, child sexual abuse, and the production of child pornography.

Speights was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He is also required to register as a sex offender. His crimes deeply violated the trust placed in him and caused serious harm to many children.

At Herman Law, we are committed to supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse. We understand the courage it takes to come forward, particularly when the perpetrator was someone in a trusted role. Our legal team is here to listen and help guide you through your legal options.

If you or someone you love was harmed by Christopher Speights or another individual in a position of authority, please contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.

Sources

U.S. Department of Justice. (2018, July 17). Substitute teacher sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for production of child pornography [Press release]. U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/substitute-teacher-sentenced-35-years-federal-prison-production-child-pornography

NBC Washington. (2018, March 23). Ex-substitute teacher pleads guilty to child porn, abuse charges. Retrieved from https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ex-substitute-teacher-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-abuse-charges/43446/