Teacher Arrested On Federal Child Pornography Charges

HOUSTON – Derrick Gossett, 32, of Humble, has been arrested and charged with two counts of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. At the time of the alleged offense, he was a music teacher at Anderson Elementary School in the Spring Independent School District (ISD). 

Originally arrested on state charges, Gossett was taken into custody on these allegations on Friday, Sept, 6, 2013. He made his  initial appearance just a short time ago, at which time U.S. Magistrate Judge George Hanks ordered him into custody pending further criminal proceedings. He is set for a counsel determination hearing Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Hanks.

According to the criminal complaint filed on Sept. 6, Gossett allegedly used a Facebook profile in an effort solicit sexually explicit photographs that constituted child pornography from young males. The complaint further alleges he used images he received from at least one victim in an effort to extort additional images. 

Authorities obtained a search warrant for Gossett’s residence, at which time a laptop computer, several thumb drives, cell phones and digital cameras were seized. One external portable hard drive, found in a lock box inside Gosset’s residence, was forensically analyzed and is alleged to contain more than 150 files with images depicting different young males, ranging in age from I 2 to I 7 years old and in various stages of undress.

The case was investigated by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constables Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the assistance of the Spring ISD Police Department. The matter was brought as part of as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L. Zack.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.