Macon Times

A former high school teacher in Washington County, Georgia, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for catfishing students and distributing explicit content online. Michael Allen Dendy, aged 33, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on November 7. Following his prison term of 400 months, Dendy will undergo ten years of supervised release and must register as a child sex offender.

Dendy had previously pleaded guilty to charges of producing and distributing child pornography on July 30. "We are committed to holding people like Michael Allen Dendy accountable to the fullest extent of the law for monstrously preying on adolescents," stated U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank emphasized the betrayal involved: "Educators are entrusted with the responsibility to protect and guide our youth... By creating false identities to deceive minors and exploit them in such a harmful way, Dendy caused profound damage."

Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran remarked that Dendy's imprisonment ensures he "will no longer be able to prey on children." The sheriff expressed gratitude towards all those involved in bringing justice.

The investigation began after complaints were made about child pornography being posted on Discord under "WACO Confessions" without student consent. The account was traced back to Dendy's residence using the username “TheOneYouLeftBehind.” Court documents revealed that Dendy communicated with students through fake Instagram accounts starting his scheme as early as 2016 across multiple states including Mississippi and Maryland.

Dendy's residence search uncovered electronic devices containing explicit material involving minors. In January 2023 alone, he persuaded a minor into sexually explicit activities shared via social media platforms.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide since May 2006.

The investigation saw collaboration between various agencies including WCSO, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Leesburg Police Department (Virginia), Charles County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland), and Middle Judicial Circuit of Georgia District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach prosecuted this case for the government.