McKeown, who previously taught sixth grade at UBIC Academy, was taken into custody by the Holly Hill Police Department in June. Authorities allege he utilized school Wi-Fi to engage in the exchange of child sexual abuse imagery. Furthermore, it was suspected that McKeown employed artificial intelligence to fabricate abusive content involving real children, potentially including some of his own students.

Investigations revealed McKeown was actively sharing, downloading, and communicating illicit material on Discord, a social networking platform, while connected to the school’s internet network during operational hours. Additionally, law enforcement uncovered disturbing footage depicting McKeown abusing a family pet.

In court, Circuit Judge A. Christian Miller declared McKeown a registered sex offender and imposed a lifetime ban on animal ownership, effective once his lengthy prison term concludes.

“The horrors and trauma inflicted by this predator are appalling, and this sentence is entirely justified,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Our commitment remains firm in pursuing the harshest penalties for those who harm vulnerable children and animals.”

“The abuse and trauma this predator inflicted is sick, and he deserves every moment of this sentence,” Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote in a statement. “We will always seek the longest sentence possible for anyone who harms innocent children or defenseless animals.”