Former Maryland teacher indicted by federal grand jury for attempted solicitation of a minor

WASHINGTON - A federal grand jury has indicted a former Carroll County "Teacher of the Year" on a charge of attempted enticement of a minor.

The 39-year-old teacher has been identified as Kenneth Brian Fischer of Westminster.

The indictment was announced Friday by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Baltimore.

According to the indictment, Fischer allegedly used email and texts to try and coerce a minor to meet him for sex between August 31 and September 5, 2017.

If the allegation is proven, Fischer faces a minimum of 10 years, with a maximum of life in prison.

His initial court appearance is not yet scheduled. It was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer.

Fischer was originally charged in September, after he was caught in an online sting operation soliciting a Fairfax County Police undercover detective, who was posing as a 14-year-old boy.

Carroll County Times reports Fischer was terminated from Carroll County Public Schools in a vote by the board of education on Sept. 25.

Carroll County Times also said that the investigation led detectives to other possible victims in Northern Virginia and Maryland, according to Fairfax County police.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.