Former DSMS teacher sentenced to 60 years in prison for possession of child pornography

On April 29, Kevin McLean, a 33-yearold former teacher and coach at Dripping Springs Middle School, was sentenced to 60 years in prison by Hays County District Judge Sherri K. Tibbe. McLean entered a plea of “guilty” to six counts of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 10 years on each count. Judge Tibbe ordered that the sentences run consecutively, commonly referred to as stacked sentences.

McLean was arrested in 2022. His wife had called the police to report finding inappropriate communications with several female middle school students on his phone. Law enforcement seized McLean’s phone and interviewed the students he had communicated with. Through the investigation, it was determined that McLean had been sending the female students nude photos of himself and trying to convince them to send him pictures. The investigation further revealed that McLean had sold or provided some students with alcohol and illegal narcotics, including THC vape pens and prescription drugs.

The child pornography was found during the search of McLean’s phone. No child pornography involving students from the middle school was located, and there were no reports of sexual contact with a student.

The case was investigated by the Hays County Sheriff’s Department and the Austin Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hansen prosecuted the case.

“We hope this verdict provides healing and closure to the families whose lives were impacted by this defendant’s abuse of trust as an educator in our community,” Hansen said.

District Attorney Higgins added, “Students and their families should be able to trust that school is safe. We will hold anyone who violates that trust accountable.”