JeffCo Schools Personnel Director Faces Federal Child-Porn Charges
The legal picture for Jefferson County Schools’ jailed human resources director has become even darker. Brett William Kirkham already faces charges that include having sex with a student. Now he faces federal child-pornography charges too. Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, today announced the indictment against Kirkham, a longtime area educator.
He’d recently asked to have his $500,000 bail lowered so he could be free while awaiting trial on sex and child-porn charges stemming from Jefferson County and Tuscaloosa County. Those allegations include a years-long sexual relationship with a then-minor male student.
The human resources director and former middle-school principal is on administrative leave and now faces four federal counts too: one count of coercion and enticement, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. Kirkham could face a maximum of life in prison and $1,000,000 in fines. He’s scheduled for arraignment in federal court August 11.
The FBI, Tuscaloosa Police, and Hueytown Police investigated the case. Local prosecutors have described Kirkham as a predator. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. A spokesperson for Jefferson County Schools said she could not comment on the ongoing case.
Trump threatens to derail Washington Commanders’ new stadium deal over team name
President Trump said the Washington Commanders should change their name back to their former name, which many Indigenous people consider a slur. He threatened to derail a deal for a new stadium.
Trump administration shuts down EPA’s scientific research arm
The agency is closing the Office of Research and Development, which analyzes dangers posed by hazards including toxic chemicals, climate change, smog, wildfires, water pollution and more.
Nearly 100 people killed seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian officials say
Dozens of Palestinians were killed across Gaza on Sunday as they tried to get food aid, according to local health authorities, one of the deadliest days in recent months for those seeking assistance.
Jake Larson, a WWII veteran who became a TikTok star as ‘Papa Jake’, has died at 102
Papa Jake Larson joined the US National Guard at 15 years old.
“We are on our knees”: U.S. tariffs devastate Lesotho’s garment workers
The government of the tiny African kingdom of Lesotho has declared a two-year state of disaster, as its once-thriving garment industry unravels in the wake of Trump's tariffs threats.
Exit polls show Japan’s ruling coalition is likely to lose key election
Soaring prices, lagging incomes and burdensome social security payments are the top issues for frustrated, cash-strapped voters. Stricter measures targeting foreign residents and visitors have also emerged as a key issue, with a surging right-wing populist party leading the campaign.
