Kellen Thomas Donelson, Child Pornography, Virginia 2019

Richmond Teacher Arrested for Child Pornography

A Richmond City Public Schools music teacher, Kellen Thomas Donelson, has been arrested and charged with receipt and distribution of images of child sexual abuse.

Donelson, 32, of Richmond, was arrested at his home on February XX, 2019, and later on July XX, 2019. He made his initial appearance in federal court today on charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

Donelson is a music teacher at Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary School and an Associate Minister/Music Director at Mount Hope Baptist Church. During a court-authorized search of his home, law enforcement discovered at least 50 images and videos of child pornography on Donelson’s phone.

He is charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at: 1-804-648-0419, extension 223.

Donelson’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Elliker.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-mj-212.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

This article is based on information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/richmond-city-public-schools-teacher-arrested-child-pornography