SHREVEPORT, La. – A former Southwood High School band director has been indicted on federal charges alleging he solicited sexually explicit conduct from a minor and possessed child pornography.Lennard Holden, 50, of Shreveport, was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month -- then arrested on Tuesday -- on charges of producing visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors and possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller said Tuesday in a news release.The indictment alleges Holden...
SHREVEPORT, La. – A former Southwood High School band director has been indicted on federal charges alleging he solicited sexually explicit conduct from a minor and possessed child pornography.
Lennard Holden, 50, of Shreveport, was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month -- then arrested on Tuesday -- on charges of producing visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors and possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller said Tuesday in a news release.
The indictment alleges Holden asked a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and record a video of the activity. He is also accused of knowingly possessing child pornography.
If convicted of all charges, Holden faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years.
"The allegations against a former employee are deeply disturbing and represent a serious violation of the trust our students and families place in the adults responsible for their education and safety," Caddo Schools' spokeswoman Mary Nash-Wood said. "When these allegations came to our attention, Caddo Schools Superintendent Keith Burton took immediate action to terminate Holden's employment. The district has cooperated fully with federal law enforcement throughout the investigation. We will continue to cooperate with authorities and support their efforts."
The FBI is asking potential additional victims to come forward as the investigation continues. Investigators believe Holden primarily targeted children who were members of the Southwood High School band between 2011 and 2026.
Anyone who believes they or their minor dependents were victimized by Holden, or who has information relevant to the investigation, can submit information through the FBI's online victim information form.
The FBI also encourages anyone who knows someone who may have been victimized to share the information with them so they can contact investigators.
Vulgar video
Holden came under fire from some Southwood parents in 2022 after he sent a video to a student's mother, calling the daughter a vulgar word over and over.
Lennard looked into his smartphone camera and repeated the word. He also called her name several more times as she sat in the background holding her head.
The girl's parents provided the video to KTBS. They said Holden apologized when they had a conference with him and the principal. However, they doubted his sincerity.
The parents also said Holden was kinown for using vulgar language in front of band members.
It was unknown at the time if Holden was disciplined for the video.
In 2021, Holden was honored by the Louisiana Music Educators Association with an award recognizing his band program. At the time, he had been a band director at the school since 2007.