HOUSTON – A teacher from Sealy was indicted on multiple charges by a federal grand jury Wednesday for allegedly molesting and taking pornographic pictures of children in a kindergarten class in Curacao.
Stephen Wayne Sudduth, 35, is charged with engaging in illicit sexual conduct with students in a foreign country, production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
The former kindergarten teacher has been in custody since he was arrested on state charges in July 2009. Prosecutors said he would soon be transferred into federal custody.
Sudduth was charged as the result of an international investigation conducted by special agents and a forensic child interviewer with ICE, the Texas Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Curacao, and a special task force in Curacao comprised of Dutch and local law enforcement officers.
According to the federal indictment, Sudduth was hired as a teacher at the International School of Curacao in August of 2006.
The school has students ranging in age from 3 to 18 years old.
During the 2006-2008 school years, Sudduth taught 4-year-old children. The next year, Sudduth taught 5-year-olds, and also provided tutoring and babysitting services after school to the kids.
If convicted, Sudduth could face up to 30 years in prison for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country and up to 30 years for production of child pornography. Transportation of child pornography carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is 10 years behind bars.
All charges also carry a maximum fine of $250,000.
