A federal court could sentence a former fifth-grade teacher from Craven County to up to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to encouraging children to produce sexual images online.

New Bern resident Matthew Metcalf, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography over the internet, according to a Department of Justice press release.

An investigation by the Federal and State Bureaus of Investigation revealed a connection between Metcalf’s IP address and a YouTube user “14YoVideoMaster.” That user, who described himself online as a 14-year-old boy named Cody, had uploaded images of apparent child pornography and encouraged under-aged individuals to create and upload videos depicting sexually explicit conduct.

The FBI and SBI obtained and executed a search warrant for Metcalf’s residence on April 28, 2011. Metcalf admitted using the online identity and encouraging child pornography, the release said. He also admitted to having a significant collection of child pornography unrelated to those efforts.

Metcalf’s sentencing is scheduled for the week of July 23. He resigned from W.J. Gurganus Elementary School in Havelock after being arrested.