3rd-Grade Teacher In FL Accused Of New Child Exploitation Charges In Sting Operation

PINELLAS PARK, FL — A third-grade teacher in Pinellas County faces new child exploitation charges, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Lee Hughes, 45, of Pinellas Park was initially arrested in a federal sting operation, Operation Restore Justice, on May 1.

He was a teacher at Pinellas Preparatory Academy in Largo, Fox 13 reported.

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Hughes was initially charged with attempted transmission of harmful material to a minor.

New charges include attempted enticement or coercion of a minor, and receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material, the DOJ said.

If convicted on all counts, Hughes faces from 10 years to life in federal prison.

Between June 2024 and May, he communicated with an undercover officer and tried to engage in sexual intercourse with their purported 9-year-old daughter, the DOJ said.

During his communication with the officer, he sent 10 explicit photos and videos of himself and asked that they be shown to the purported child.

On May 1, he went to an agreed-upon location to have sex with the girl and was arrested.

When searching his phone, investigators found that Hughes received and had child sexual abuse material, the DOJ said.

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