A former Metairie school teacher has been charged with a federal crime involving the sexual exploitation of children.
Don Francis, Jr., 43, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge related to the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
According to court records, on February 5, 2014, Special Agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations assisted the Louisiana Department of Justice and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant in a child exploitation investigation at Francis’ residence.
Francis has been in state custody since his February 5, 2014 arrest. As a result of today’s federal indictment, Francis will be transferred to federal custody.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr. reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Francis faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of twenty years, followed by up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
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