Documents: DC educator paid minors on CashApp, received explicit images
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Officials said that a D.C. school employee is facing charges for child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The FBI Washington Field Office's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating 56-year-old Devonne Keith Brown, who was arrested on Monday, June 2.
The affidavit said Brown was working for IDEA Public Charter School and affiliated with a track club called 'Project Impact Sports.'
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According to court documents, the investigation started in November of 2024 when a CashApp account was reported for grooming minors and purchasing CSAM. CashApp found three possible minors' accounts and the adult's account.
Documents said that there was activity that implied that the adult — later identified as Brown — was grooming minors. The investigation was assigned in January of 2025.
Investigators reported that there were 36 CashApp transactions with one of the victims between Feb. 18, 2024, and Sept. 22, 2024.
When officials went to speak to the victim, she said that she had been talking to a person named 'Joseph.' She later revealed that he was an adult man she met at a Giant grocery store near her home in Prince George's County.
She told investigators that she had messaged the man via Instagram and iMessage. She said that she had sent him nude photos during these conversations and that he also sent an explicit photograph to her.
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In May of 2025, investigators got a search warrant for Brown's email and found nearly 30 emails between him and two different email accounts believed to belong to the minor victim. These emails included explicit photos and videos.
'Those who prey on minors to solicit the production of CSAM are morally reprehensible and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes,' Steven Jensen, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, said in a release. 'The FBI remains committed to protecting our children and ridding our communities of this grievous scourge.'
The FBI asks that anyone with any information about Brown or his involvement in the solicitation of CSAM send their contact information to DBVictims@fbi.gov or fill out a form online. You can also make an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or going online.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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