BOSTON - A Fall River man, a former high school teacher and coach, was sentenced today to probation for possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro sentenced Paul J. Teves, 35, to five years probation. On March 7, 2012, Teves pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The government requested that the former high school teacher be sentenced to five years in prison.
Had the case proceeded to trial the government’s evidence would have proven that Teves portrayed himself online as a mother willing to “pimp” out an 11-year-old daughter. The prosecutor told the court that Teves admitted to trading and possessing child pornography, and being sexually attracted to children from eight to 15-years-old. Additionally, Teves admitted to sexual relationships in 2001 with teenage girls, one of whom was 15-years-old.
From 2002 to 2005, Teves was a tennis coach at Bishop Connolly High School. He was an 11th grade teacher at West Bridgewater High School, and a coach for the boys and girls track team, from 2005 until his arrest.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division made the announcement. Substantial assistance was lent by the Fall River Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael I. Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
