A former Prince George’s County teacher’s aide would “manufacture” trust among schoolchildren and prey upon their fear of authority figures as he lured them into performing sexual acts that he would record, according to county, state and federal authorities.
On one occasion, Deonte Carraway took a child out of class and into a school dressing room, where he asked the student to get undressed. When the student refused, Mr. Carraway warned the child of getting into trouble with the principal for not complying, authorities said Tuesday.
“These are difficult investigations because the way the perpetrator gains access is to manufacture trust,” FBI Special Agent Kevin Perkins said during a joint press conference at the U.S. attorney’s office in Greenbelt.
U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein announced that Mr. Carraway, 22, of Glenarden, was charged Tuesday with eight federal counts of producing child pornography involving six victims ages 9 to 11. At least 17 children were victimized in four different locations from October through January, said Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski.
Mr. Carraway was a teacher’s aide at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School in Glenarden and a director for the Glenarden Voices of Youth Choir. He was arrested Feb. 4 after the uncle of one victim reported seeing a sexually explicit image on the child’s cellphone that had been sent to Mr. Carraway via the messaging app Kik.
A federal affidavit shows that police found 38 videos of children engaged in sex acts with Mr. Carraway or each other. The videos were recorded at the school as well as homes of some of the victims and in the basement of an unidentified residence.
Each federal charge of child pornography carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years. Mr. Carraway faces up to 120 years in federal prison.
Mr. Carraway also was indicted Tuesday in Prince George’s County Circuit Court on charges of child sexual abuse, among others.
State and federal prosecutors said they are discussing which case will go to trial first.
The investigation continues, and authorities are asking the parents of any other potential victims to contact them as soon as possible.
“We’re trying to find out how he gained trust and how he abused that trust,” Chief Stawinski said of Mr. Carraway.
Investigators combing through Mr. Carraway’s electronics also are trying to figure out how he had the time and money to dedicate to videotaping the underage students.
“There was a tremendous amount of time and devices needed,” the police chief said.
Officials said they hadn’t determined whether Mr. Carraway sold or shared the videos or had any accomplices.
Principal Michelle Williams was placed on paid leave days after Mr. Carraway was arrested, and a civil lawsuit against the school system says she didn’t follow up or alert local authorities when parents and teachers voiced suspicions about his behavior.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, who is heading the state’s case, said no criminal charges had been brought against school officials, but the investigation into whether Ms. Williams failed to act on accusations is continuing.
Since Mr. Carraway’s arrest, county schools have instituted extra training for workers who come into contact with children and are developing reporting standards for accusations of child abuse, Ms. Alsobrooks said.
No federal court appearance for Mr. Carraway has been scheduled, but Mr. Rosenstein said investigators already have logged about 3,000 hours talking with victims, witnesses and family members.
“All of our child exploitation cases are horrible,” Mr. Rosenstein said. “This case is particularly disturbing.”
• Ryan M. McDermott can be reached at rmcdermott@washingtontimes.com.
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