The Prince George's County school aide accused of making child pornography on school grounds gave cellphones to his victims, a source close to the investigation said.
Deonte Carraway, 22, is accused of filming "vile sexual acts" between children ages 9 to 13 while working as a school volunteer and youth choir director at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary in Glenarden, Maryland.
The source close to the investigation said Carraway handed out multiple phones to students and then collected them at the end of the day.
It wasn't immediately clear how many phones Carraway is accused of handing out.
Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks declined to comment on the new allegation.
A total of 17 children have come forward as victims, Prince George's County Police have said.
Carraway was arrested Feb. 5 after after the uncle of a 9-year-old boy saw a nude image on the child's phone, according to police, who said Carraway admitted his role in producing child pornography.
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According to court documents, the FBI has discovered dozens of videos depicting child pornography, some of which appeared to have been recorded in a school restroom. Carraway can be seen in one video molesting a child, according to the documents. In other videos, he can be heard directing the victims.
Police said Carraway victimized children at school, the Zion Praise Tabernacle Lutheran Church, Glenarden Municipal Center, Theresa Banks Memorial Aquatic Center and in private homes.
Parents said Friday they are seeing security improvements at the school. A school resource officer is now there, and visitors are required to show identification. A new acting principal was announced, and 26 new security cameras will be installed.
"We're conducting forensic interviews in Deonte Carraway case. Our concern is providing support to victims," said Police Chief Hank Stawinski.
Carraway was a volunteer teacher's assistant at the school this year and the director of the Glenarden Voices of Youth Choir at the municipal center, police said. He was a paid assistant at the school during the 2014-15 school year.
Nothing criminal was found in Carraway's background check before he started working for the school in November 2014, officials have said.
A lawsuit filed in connection with the case alleges the principal knew about Carraway's misconduct and failed to act. Prince George's County Public Schools CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell said Principal Michelle Williams has been placed on leave out of "an abundance of caution."
It wasn't immediately clear if Carraway had an attorney.
