A former Southwood High School band director faces federal charges after a grand jury indictment on child exploitation counts, KSLA reported. Lennard Holden, 50, of Shreveport, was indicted October 8, 2026, on charges of production of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors and possession of child pornography, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.
KSLA reported that court documents allege Holden asked a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct and produce a video of the activity, and that he knowingly possessed child pornography. The FBI believes Holden primarily targeted children who were members of the band at Southwood High School in Shreveport between 2011 and 2026, and is seeking to identify additional potential victims.
Caddo Parish Schools told KSLA that Holden’s employment has been terminated. The district said Superintendent Keith Burton took immediate action when the allegations came to light and that the district has cooperated fully with federal law enforcement throughout the investigation.
Holden faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted of all charges. The FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Holden was booked into Bossier Medium Facility on October 20, KSLA reported.
For more information, visit ksla.com.