Macomb Teacher Faces Federal Charges After Child Porn Arrest

An Oklahoma teacher was arrested on federal charges Tuesday, the Department of Justice reported Wednesday.

Lucas Cane, 30, of Ada, is accused of distribution of child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

Cane was a teacher with Macomb Public Schools. The school district first confirmed arrest of the teacher and said the crime occurred off-campus. Cane has since been suspended.

Parents stress that while this is shocking, the school is still a safe place for students.

“There are a lot of parents concerned that maybe the school knew something. They did not know anything about this,” said Chelsea Johnston, a former student who now has two children enrolled in Macomb Schools. “I think this is one negative thing that will impact us for a long time, and I don't think that's fair. I don't think our school should be judged on that.”

The district said no students were harmed or at risk. The district said they cannot make further comment during the ongoing investigation. 

Cane appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and is being held pending further court proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. 

In a release, the district said, "We will work closely with law enforcement to address the situation accordingly as we receive more specific information about it."

Johnston said her brother was once a student of Cane’s. She also added that Cane was heavily involved in the school.

“I had been in community projects with him,” Johnston said. “We have painted the school together. He always helped do stuff.”

A second man was arrested in Arizona in connection with the case.

Daniel Nickelson, Jr., 36, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, was charged with advertising child pornography, distributing child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography. He is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday, the Department of Justice reported.

This crime will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. 

The FBI confirmed that investigation into Cane began in Washington D.C.