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United Brethren School Teacher Allegedly Made AI Porn From Students’ Photos

Florida suspect faces 19 felonies for possession of child sexual abuse materials

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A Florida Christian elementary school teacher could spend life behind bars after his arrest for possessing child pornography—also known as child sexual abuse materials (CSAM)—including images police believe may be AI-altered photos of his own students.

Photo via social media @UBIC Academy

On June 20, police arrested David R. McKeown, 47, a sixth-grade teacher at the United Brethren In Christ (UBIC) Academy in Holly Hill, which is run by a UBIC church near Daytona Beach. A statement from the office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said McKeown was charged with “19 enhanced felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and six counts of possession of animal pornography.”

A press release from the Holly Hill Police Department explained the arrest was the result of a three-week investigation triggered by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

During the investigation, detectives executed search warrants at McKeown’s residence and UBIC Academy, where multiple electronic devices were seized. They also executed a search warrant on his social media account, in which they found multiple images of CSAM, and where police found evidence he was not acting alone.

“When reviewing McKeown’s social media account, detectives discovered several messages where he was communicating with other users, disseminating student’s personal information, sending their photographs, and appeared to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to generate child pornography,” the Holly Hill press release said. “McKeown further manufactured animal pornography by photographing himself performing sexual acts on the family pet.”

To make matters worse, McKeown allegedly conducted some of his illegal activity during school hours, using the school’s Wi-Fi network to communicate with other Discord users.

“As a teacher, parents trusted Mr. McKeown to impart knowledge to their children. Instead, he spent parts of the school day sending and receiving child sex abuse material and providing other pedophiles with UBIC Academy students’ personal information,” said Uthmeier. “What he did is beyond betrayal—it’s devastating and sick. Our Office of Statewide Prosecution will aggressively pursue justice for these children and their parents.”

David McKeown in 2019 on an episode of ‘In the Cave with Matt and Dave’ on the church’s YouTube channel / Screengrab by The Roys Report)

After McKeown’s arrest, UBIC Academy fired him. The school and church are pastored by McKeown’s brothers, Matt and Chuck McKeown, and a page on the school website lists multiple McKeowns on its small staff and administration. The church’s 2025 state business report indicates that four of its five principal officers share the McKeown name. These include the lead pastor as well as Robert, Matt, Vicki and Joshua McKeown.

“We are shocked and deeply grieved by the serious allegations of misconduct against him,” said UBIC Academy Board Chair Don Ross. “Our employment relationship with David McKeown has been terminated, and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities.”

The office of the attorney general noted that additional charges may be added as the investigation continues. At the time of publication, McKeown was being held at Volusia County Branch Jail on a $1,250,000 bail and facing 315 years in prison if convicted.

EDITOR’S NOTE: MinistryWatch exists to help donors become more effective stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. So, why does MinistryWatch report on sex crimes? These stories are tough to read and sometimes even tougher to report, but we think they are vital to our mission to bring transparency, accountability, and credibility to the evangelical church. Donors who are supporting these ministries need to know this information. Ministry leaders and others can learn lessons from these stories. Victims feel supported.  To read more about why and how we report these stories, read “Why MinistryWatch Reports On Sex Crimes.”

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Tony Mator

Tony Mator is a Pittsburgh journalist, copywriter, blogger and musician who has done work for World magazine, The Imaginative Conservative and the Hendersonville Times-News, among others. Follow his work and observations at twitter.com/wise_watcher.

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