DETROIT – A former substitute teacher has pleaded guilty to charges of sexual exploitation of minors and receipt of child pornography, announced Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Michigan.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.
Pleading guilty was Timothy Higle, 34, formerly of Clawson, Michigan.
According to court records, Higle solicited nude images and sexually explicit videos from minors over Snapchat. In exchange for producing the images and videos, Higle paid the minor victims using Cashapp and Venmo. In one instance Higle provided a minor with a vape pen and cartridge containing marijuana. Higle’s victims ranged in age from 14 to 17 years old at the time of the incidents. Law enforcement became aware of Higle’s conduct after one of the victims contacted the Michigan State Police in August 2024.
The evidence in this case has not established that Higle engaged in this conduct while working in his capacity as a teacher. Nevertheless, if someone believes they may have been a victim or knows of someone who may be a victim, they are encouraged to contact the FBI at (313) 965-2323.
“This is disgusting behavior for anyone. But we entrust teachers with our children, so it is especially alarming when one of them preys on children,” said Gorgon.
“The defendant had a choice, and he chose to exploit children and betray public trust,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “We are grateful for the bravery of the individual who came forward and reported this to our law enforcement partners at the Michigan State Police. Our dedicated team from the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency worked diligently to investigate this case, and this guilty plea represents an important step toward accountability.”
Higle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 11, 2026.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Michigan State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann Nee and Sean King.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Eastern District of Michigan — U.S. Department of Justice press release.