Federal Investigation Unfolds at Valley Christian High School
Investigation Reveals Multiple Victims of Child Pornography and Exploitation
The number of victims in a federal investigation involving child pornography and exploitation at San Jose’s Valley Christian High School continues to grow. Investigators now believe that as many as five teenage boys were victims of Todd Baldwin, the school’s former director of operations, teaching assistant, and school coach.
Todd Baldwin’s Confession and Investigation
Court documents show that Baldwin, 44, admitted to San Jose police that he received pornographic images and videos from four male students and sold them online. This confession came after he was arrested in August 2023.
FBI Investigation Uncovering Additional Victim
An FBI investigation, however, claims there is at least one more victim. The documents allege that starting in October 2022, Baldwin made a deal with a 17-year-old at Valley Christian and a 16-year-old at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, convincing them to film and photograph themselves for pornographic purposes and send him the files over Snapchat and email. Investigators claim that Baldwin then sold their content online and paid the students over Venmo and Cash App, with payments totaling over $6,000.
Legal Expert’s Warning
"Once somebody’s image, a child’s image, is out on the internet, it’s out there forever, and the child is going to suffer continuing damage forever," said legal analyst Dean Johnson. "These cases are treated very seriously and prosecuted relentlessly, and the consequences of being convicted are extremely serious."
Investigation Uncovers Evidence of In-school Filming
According to the criminal complaint, Baldwin filmed at least one of the students in his office on school grounds.
Questions of School Responsibility
San Jose attorney Lauren Cerri, who represented survivors of child sexual abuse in schools, including a prior case involving Valley Christian’s former basketball coach, is concerned about the school’s responsibility in this case.
"What did they know? What should they have known if they were properly supervising their employee and the students entrusted to their care?" she said.
Call to Action for Information
Cerri and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward to investigators so that all victims are known and receive justice.
FAQs
Q: How many victims are involved in the investigation?
A: Up to five teenage boys, with at least one more victim still unknown.
Q: What did Todd Baldwin do?
A: He received and sold pornographic images and videos from students online.
Q: What is the extent of Baldwin’s actions?
A: He made deals with students to film and photograph themselves for pornographic purposes and sold their content online, paying them over Venmo and Cash App.
Q: What happened to Todd Baldwin?
A: He was arrested in August 2023 and made a confession to San Jose police.
Q: What is the school’s responsibility in this case?
A: Investigators are pointing to potential lapses in supervision and supervision, with an attorney asking what the school knew and should have known about its employee and students.
