Medina High School teacher charged with possession of child pornography

MEDINA, Ohio (WOIO) - Federal court records were unsealed Monday revealing new information about a criminal investigation against a Medina High School Social Studies teacher.

RELATED STORY: Medina teacher on leave due to FBI investigation

Kevin Hedrick is facing charges for possession of child pornography and coercing a minor to engage in a sex act, according to an 18-page criminal complaint.

The 37-year-old man is accused of talking online with an undercover agent who he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Back in October 2022, Medina City Schools notified families that Hedrick was placed on leave due to an investigation by the FBI.

Federal court records show Hedrick was charged Friday and surrendered to authorities the same day.

The filing included a photo Hedrick allegedly sent over the chat platform Kik, after the undercover agent asked him to prove he was a real person.

In the photo, he is wearing the same clothes he was later captured wearing in surveillance footage from the high school.

Medina High School teacher charged with possession of child pornography(Source: Northern District of Ohio)

19 News received a copy of the letter Medina City Schools shared with school families, which said, in part:

On October 24, 2022, Medina High School social studies teacher, Kevin Hedrick was placed on paid administrative leave due to an active FBI investigation. Today, we received word that Mr. Hedrick was arrested on two federal charges: Receipt of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and enticing, or coercing any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempting to do so. At this time, the District anticipates a formal resignation from Mr. Hedrick. If we do not receive a resignation, we will take the appropriate action to move toward termination.

We understand charges of this nature are distressing especially in a school environment involving an educator. We are relieved to know this situation did not directly impact current Medina City School District students or staff. We are thankful for the diligence and collaboration of the FBI, local police and district administration to ensure our students and staff remain safe from predators.