Show-Me State Times

A teacher at Independence Elementary School in Missouri has been charged with several federal child pornography offenses. Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was named in a three-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on August 21, 2025. The charges include transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Hernandez was arrested at his home following the execution of a federal search warrant and remains in custody. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance before a federal magistrate.

According to the affidavit supporting the complaint, on August 19, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigations received 19 CyberTipline Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC had received disclosures from Google indicating that multiple files suspected to be child sexual abuse material were uploaded to Google Photos by an account linked to Hernandez. Based on these reports, FBI agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence on August 20.

Federal law stipulates that transportation of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years imprisonment; production and attempted production carries between fifteen and thirty years; possession carries up to twenty years. Sentencing will ultimately be determined by the court after consideration of advisory guidelines and statutory factors.

The FBI is working to identify potential victims associated with this case. Individuals who believe they or their children may have been affected are encouraged to contact authorities at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Those under age eighteen should have a parent or guardian make the call on their behalf.

"The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law."

Authorities emphasize that all charges are accusations at this stage: "The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among various agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc .