KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City area elementary school teacher has been charged in federal court for child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.
Click here to read the charging documents
Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a three-count federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. today. Hernandez is charged with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Hernandez was arrested at his home during the execution of a federal search warrant. He remains in custody and is scheduled for his initial appearance today before a federal magistrate.
The complaint affidavit alleges that on Aug. 19, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigations received 19 CyberTipline Reports (“Cybertips”) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”). NCMEC made the referral after it received disclosures from Google on August 18th indicating that multiple files of apparent child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to google photos by a particular account that had identifying information consistent with/to Hernandez. The affidavit further alleges that based upon the Cybertips, agents with the FBI sought and obtained a federal search warrant which was executed on the morning of August 20th.
Under federal statutes, transportation of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, production and attempted production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment, and possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
The FBI is seeking to identify potential victims of Hernandez. If you or your child believes they were a victim of Hernandez, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI. If you are under the age of 18, please have your parent/guardian call on your behalf. Your responses are voluntary. Based on your responses, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.
The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
A redacted copy of the publicly filed complaint and affidavit is attached.