Broward Teacher Charged with Exploiting Children as Young as Five

MIAMI - A Broward teacher has been arraigned and ordered detained pending trial on charges related to the sexual exploitation of children as young as five years old.

According to court records, Evan Michael Sands, 26, of Tamarac, used online communications to engage in conversations with minors to solicit child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in exchange for in-game currency associated with a popular children's video game. Sands also allegedly produced and transmitted videos of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct. A search warrant revealed that Sands distributed CSAM to others using an online communication platform.

Sands is charged with enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography. If convicted, Sands faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and 20 years for possession and distribution of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony of the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) made the announcement.

HSI Fort Lauderdale and BSO are investigating the case.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or who has information related to this investigation, is urged to contact BSO Det. Robert Rausch at (954) 888-1570.

Anyone with information regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse is encouraged to call the HSI tipline at 1-866-347-2423.

Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Catherine Koontz is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case number 26-cr-60174.

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