Former Hoover High Associate Principal Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Pornography Possession

Charles Thomas Boyd Defreitas pleaded guilty to charges involving over 600 images of child sexual abuse material

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A former associate principal at Hoover High School in San Diego was sentenced to 8 years in prison for possession of child sex abuse material. Charles Thomas Boyd Defreitas, who worked in the San Diego Unified School District for over 13 years, was arrested in 2024 after a minor reported he had sent and requested illicit images via social media. Defreitas pleaded guilty last year and admitted possessing videos and images depicting juveniles engaged in sexual conduct, including material involving a victim under 12 years old.

Why it matters

This case highlights the disturbing reality that even those entrusted to educate and protect children can sometimes abuse that position of trust. It raises concerns about the vetting process for school administrators and the need for stronger safeguards to prevent such crimes from occurring.

The details

Defreitas was initially charged in state court but his case was later transferred to federal court, where he pleaded guilty. In his plea agreement, he admitted possessing over 600 images of child sex abuse material on his laptop, cellphone, and USB drives. The judge called Defreitas' interaction with a former student 'a gross abuse of trust' and said it was 'unfathomable' that someone in his position could seek out such material.

  • Defreitas was arrested in March 2024.
  • Defreitas pleaded guilty last year.
  • Defreitas was sentenced on February 14, 2026.

The players

Charles Thomas Boyd Defreitas

A former associate principal at Hoover High School in San Diego who worked in the school district for over 13 years and was sentenced to 8 years in prison for possession of child sex abuse material.

Robert Huie

The U.S. District Judge who sentenced Defreitas and called his interaction with a former student 'a gross abuse of trust'.

Patrick Griffin

Defreitas' attorney, who said severe childhood trauma and job-related stressors played a role in the crimes but that Defreitas has since made strides through treatment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I betrayed my role as an educator. I betrayed the trust of an entire community of people. I hurt parents, I hurt colleagues, and I let so many people down. I understand how this shakes people's faith in educators and I played a role in that and I'm sorry.”

— Charles Thomas Boyd Defreitas

What’s next

The judge's sentence of 8 years in prison for Defreitas will now be carried out.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for rigorous background checks, ongoing monitoring, and strong safeguards to prevent educators in positions of trust from exploiting vulnerable students. It also highlights the devastating impact that such betrayals of trust can have on entire school communities.