Officials at a California Christian school paid underage students thousands of dollars to produce child pornography, once filmed in the school's office, along with used underwear, authorities said. It was sold online.
According to court documents, Todd Baldwin, 44, allegedly confessed to receiving nude images from at least four minors, primarily students at Valley Christian High School in San Jose. He served as head teacher, teaching assistant, and sports coach.
He also bought a ring light for a 17-year-old student to “enhance the quality” of illegal content, gave the teen underwear, and sold it online after using it, according to the documents.
According to the complaint, Baldwin first asked the 17-year-old student if she knew of any jobs around campus, then offered her money to take sexually explicit videos and photos of herself.
The boy later told police that Baldwin made him pose naked in sexual positions during a photoshoot at Valley Christian's office, documents said.
The staff then sold pornography on Reddit and paid the boy $4,265 from the proceeds, authorities alleged.
Authorities say the boy, identified in the complaint as Minor Juvenile 1, told a 16-year-old friend about the arrangement with Baldwin in August 2023.
A second teenage boy (known as Minor Boy 2, a student at a nearby school) contacted Baldwin on Snapchat and ended up sending him “about 20 pictures two to three times a week over several weeks. They sent photos and videos and received compensation. The complaint says it was about $2,500 via Venmo.
After the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip about the disturbing material, Baldwin was arrested and interviewed by the San Jose Police Department.
According to the complaint, he allegedly confessed to receiving nude images from multiple underage boys in exchange for money, including Underage Boy 1 from Valley Christian School, Underage Boy 2, and others. Two students are also included.
Investigators said a review of Baldwin's Venmo and email accounts revealed images, videos and suspicious payments with at least three other minors.
Mr. Baldwin was charged last week with two counts of enticing a minor following a year-long investigation by police and the FBI, according to documents. He did not appear to have entered a defense in the case as of Thursday.
He was placed on administrative leave from Valley Christian when the investigation began last year and is no longer an employee of the school.
Valley Christian High School President Clifford E. Daugherty said, “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority.” he told the Los Angeles Times.
“We have fully cooperated with the San Jose Police Department since the investigation began in August 2023 and will continue to cooperate with federal authorities as the investigation progresses.”
