Independence School District substitute teacher charged in federal court in child pornography case

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Federal prosecutors charged a 21-year-old man in a child pornography case who worked as a substitute teacher in the Independence School District.

Caleb J. Eyde, 21, is charged with four counts of distribution of child pornography over the internet and one count of possession of child pornography, according to federal court documents.

Law officers served a search warrant June 30 at Eyde's Independence residence.

Eyde revealed to investigators he had worked for the school district as a substitute teacher since April 2025.

According to the court document, Eyde "made statements about his role as a substitute teacher and his concern about losing his position."

Eyde told investigators, "I want to be a teacher."

A court document states Eyde told a law officer during the search of Eyde's residence that he had used accounts to create and delete after viewing or trading child pornography.

During an internet search of Eyde's cell phone, investigators found a website where viewers can look at and buy child pornography.

According to the court document, Eyde said he frequently visited the website and bought child pornography videos.

Investigators located 217,331 image files stored on Eyde's cell phone.

A detective with the Independence Police Department stated in a court document that because of the significant volume of images, he had not been able to look at all the files.

He added that "based on the images I have been able to view, the majority of those images depict CSAM."

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Independence School District.

A school district spokesperson referred us to the United States Attorney's Office.

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