Crime & Safety

Former Poplar Tree Special Ed Teacher Sentenced for Possession of Child Porn

Robert Fenn, a former special education teacher, was sentenced to a 10-year prison term.

By Mary Stachyra

A former Poplar Tree Elementary School teacher was sentenced last week to 10 years in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. 

Robert Fenn, 27, of Herndon, was found guilty at the end of a jury trial in April on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. No students or equipment at the school were involved.

Before his arrest in June 2012, Fenn taught special education at Poplar Tree Elementary School in Chantilly, and gave private music lessons to children in their homes. As part of a two-year-long, international investigation into a website, investigators executed a search warrant at Fenn's home in Herndon. During the search, they seized computers that had "numerous videos and images of child pornography," according to a court document submitted by prosecutors. 

Fenn "ultimately informed agents that he has an age preference of 9-14 year old girls and he has files on his computer containing Japanese “hentai” and images of scantily clad girl models between the ages of 9-14," the document states.

Fenn's sentence includes credit for time served. Following the end of his prison term, he will also face 20 years of supervised release.

Court documents show that Fenn has retained a new lawyer for the purpose of an appeal. 


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