Federal Court Sentences Former Substitute Teacher to 40 Years in Prison for the Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Receipt of Child Pornography

DETROIT - Timothy Higle, 34, of Clawson, Michigan and former substitute teacher, was sentenced this week to 40 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty in April 2026 to charges that he sexually exploited minors and received child pornography, announced Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Michigan.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.

According to court records, Higle solicited nude images and sexually explicit videos from over a dozen minors between ages 14 and 17 over Snapchat, targeting victims over the course of 12 years. Higle used money, drugs, alcohol, and extortion to get what he wanted from his victims. In exchange for producing the images and videos, Higle paid the minor victims using Cashapp and Venmo, and in some instances, he provided or offered marijuana and alcohol. As part of his tactics, Higle befriended his victims, knew their ages, and learned intimate details about their lives and family circumstances. For many, he became a trusted adult as he groomed them only to later exploit that knowledge and trust for his sexual gain. Higle inflicted countless mental and emotional harms on his victims without regard to their wellbeing.

Through grooming, Higle sexualized his young victims and commented on his preference for younger bodies over developed women. Higle directed his victims in graphic detail on what types of photos or videos he wanted to see such as specific poses and body parts. Higle also propositioned victims for sex, offering to pay victims as much as $500 to $1,000 for sex acts. When some victims attempted to cut contact or refused to send images, Higle threatened to post their photos online and he continued to harass them across other social media platforms. Law enforcement became aware of Higle's conduct after one of the victims contacted the Michigan State Police in August 2024.

"This former teacher is a scheming pervert who hurt children for more than a decade. Now he has a 40-year sentence because law enforcement caught him," said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

"This sentence makes one thing clear: those who choose to exploit children will face serious consequences," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "This defendant's actions were a betrayal of public trust, and today's outcome reflects our commitment to protecting vulnerable victims and holding offenders accountable. I commend the diligent investigative work of our FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, in partnership with the Michigan State Police, for bringing this predator to justice."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Michigan State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean King of the Trafficking and Exploitation of Children Unit.