New York City Public School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Joseph Taylor McKeel, a public school teacher at a high school in New York City, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg. When sentenced, McKeel faces up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.

"McKeel possessed graphic images of child sexual abuse, including sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, all while employed in a position of trust as a high school biology teacher," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Prosecuting those who victimize children by feeding the market for child pornography will always be a top priority of our Office and our law enforcement partners."

"Joseph McKeel, a New York City public-school teacher, exploited children by obtaining child pornography that included infants and toddlers. This is not just a horrific violation of law and abuse of children, but a profound betrayal of the trust placed in him as a teacher. Our FBI/NYPD Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force will relentlessly pursue those who engage in such despicable conduct," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As set forth in court filings, McKeel, a high school biology teacher, possessed hundreds of images of child pornography. McKeel was arrested in March 2026 on his way to work carrying a backpack that contained a thumb drive with over 150 images of child sexual abuse, along with a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. An additional device containing child sexual abuse material was found during the execution of a search warrant at McKeel's residence.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.projectsafechildhood.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..

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Sussman and Samuel Rackear are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

JOSEPH TAYLOR MCKEEL
Age: 33
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-148 (RPK)