NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Murfreesboro Teacher Arrested For Child Porn

Murfreesboro Teacher Arrested For Child Porn

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro police have arrested a Murfreesboro teacher at his home Tuesday on federal charges of producing child pornography.

Investigators said 52-year-old Louis J. Levine invited students to his house on Alton Road in west Nashville, where teenagers were given drugs, alcohol and engaged in sexual activities. They said Levine secretly taped the sexual activity. Hundreds of tapes were recovered at the home.

Incidents reportedly went back 30 years.

Levine was a first year science teacher for Murfreesboro City Schools, and placed on administrative leave April 1 after officials learned he was under investigation. He has since been suspended without pay, and his contract will not be renewed for a second year.

District director Marilyn Mathis said Levine went from school to school teaching science. Officials have begun proceedings to terminate his employment with the school system.

He also substituted for Metro Nashville Public Schools for several years. District officials said Levine substituted in their schools just 1 full day and 2 half days during the 2008-2009 school year. He has been removed from the substitute list.

For many years he worked at the Adventure Science Center, formerly the Cumberland Science Museum, as an animal expert and teacher, as well as at several youth camps.

"Lewis Levine was a former employee of the Adventure Science Center who worked here more than 10 years ago," said center president Susan Duvenhage. 

Police began investigating Levine on March 25 after a tip from a parent. Several apparent victims told officials about a building on Levine's property called "Little House." They said they would smoke marijuana, take ecstasy, drink alcohol and engage in sex in both the outbuilding and the main house.

An adult male who had visited the home during the late 1970s and early 1980s told police there was a peep hole into the outhouse. He also said Levine would provide pornographic movies for he and other boys to watch.

According to the complaint against Levine, one teenage boy told police that Levine touched him inappropriately on at least one occasion during the summer of 2007.
 Read the full complaint

An adult male told police that Levine had touched him inappropriately when he was a teen in the mid 1980s.

Investigators executed a search warrant on the home on March 31. Inside a padlocked bedroom, they found a home video network of computers, monitors and what officials described as a "significant" amount of video cables running to other parts of the home.

About 400 videotapes and DVDs were found at the home depicting teenagers involved in sexual activity. Those who talked to police said they did not know they were being taped.

Officials said Levine faces federal charges for child pornography because the video equipment was manufactured in Japan. State charges are also expected.

"Crimes against children in violation of federal law are an absolute top priority for the Department of Justice," said Ed Yarbrough, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

Police have asked anyone with information about inappropriate behavior between Levine and minors to call Metro's Sex Crimes Unit at 862-7540. So far, victims have come forward from both Davidson and Williamson County.

"I want to thank the men and women assigned to the police department's Sex Crimes Unit for their dedication and commitment to very difficult cases such as this one," Chief Ronal Serpas said. "Matters involving minors are not easy to investigate."

According to a police media release, Levine and his wife have been estranged for several years.

Stay with NewsChannel 5 for more information as it becomes available.