Sex Crimes detectives and FBI agents this morning arrested Murfreesboro science teacher and Metro substitute teacher Louis J. Levine at his West Nashville home on a federal warrant charging him with producing child pornography.
Levine, 52, of 133 Alton Road, is alleged to have provided drugs to teenagers and allowed them to engage in sex in his home or on his property over the past 30 years. Levine is alleged to have videotaped the sexual activity. Levine has been estranged from his wife for years and lives alone.
Levine was placed on administrative leave from the Murfreesboro School System on April 1st after officials there learned he was under investigation. The school system is initiating proceedings to terminate Levine’s employment. Levine worked as a Metro substitute teacher for several years. He last worked in a Metro school on March 26th and has now been removed from the substitute list.
Levine was associated in the past with the Cumberland Science Museum, as well as youth camps and other settings involving children. The alleged victims who have provided information thus far are from Davidson and Williamson Counties.
Sex Crimes Detective Jeff Wiser began his investigation of Levine on March 25th after receiving information from a concerned parent. In the days that followed, Wiser interviewed numerous persons, including minor teenagers, who told of an outbuilding, known as “Little House,” behind Levine’s residence where teenagers would drink alcohol, smoke marijuana and engage in sex. Wiser was also told that teenagers would engage in sex inside the main house. One room in the home was known to the teenagers as the “Isolation Chamber,” which contained a waterbed with a wooden box over it.
Present day teenagers, as well as those who were teens in the 1970s and 80s, have provided similar information in regard to sex and drug activity at Levine’s home. Some told of Levine videotaping sexual encounters. Others said Levine showed them what appeared to be homemade sex videos.
Detective Wiser executed a search warrant at Levine’s home on March 31st. Inside his bedroom, which was padlocked, officers found an extensive home network that included computer(s), four monitors, a significant number of cables running to other locations in the home, including the “Isolation Room,” and VHS & DVD players. Officers also found approximately 400 VHS videotapes and DVDs that appeared to be homemade.
Also seized during the search warrant was a Canon camcorder that contained a videotape. The tape depicts teens engaging sexual activity. The teens said they had no knowledge they were being recorded.
Because the video camera and videotape were manufactured in Japan and traveled to the United States as part of interstate/foreign commerce, the federal government has jurisdiction in this child pornography case.
“Crimes against children in violation of federal law are an absolute top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Ed Yarbrough, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. “My office will continue to work closely with the FBI and local law enforcement to review cases like this and initiate prosecution when warranted.”
“I want to thank the men and women assigned to the police department’s Sex Crimes Unit for their dedication and commitment to very difficult cases such as this one,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “Matters involving minors are not easy to investigate. I have a strong appreciation for what these detectives do day-to-day.”
The investigation involving Levine is continuing. State charges are expected.
Anyone with information regarding inappropriate behavior by Levine with minors is urged to contact the Metro Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit at 862-7540.
The public is reminded that the warrant and criminal complaint filed by the United States is merely an allegation and not evidence of guilt. Levine is presumed not guilty and is entitled to a jury trial at which the United States would bear the burden of proving the criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.
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