CT teacher charged in federal child porn probe

A teacher at East Hampton Middle School has been arrested on federal child pornography charges, prosecutors said Thursday.

Richard Hendricks, a computer instructor, is accused of paying to watch minors in the Philippines performing sex acts over the Internet.

Hendricks, who has been with the school district for six years, was placed on leave at the beginning of the week. In a voicemail left with parents on Thursday, East Hampton Superintendent Judith Golden asked anyone with concerns or information to contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The 31-year-old Ashford man was arrested Wednesday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession of child pornography and receipt and distribution of child pornography, according to the U.S. attorney's office. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents seized three computers and two external hard drives from his home earlier this week.

It was unclear if Hendricks had an attorney. A phone listing for Hendricks could not be located.