Tag: charter schools

A former Harlem charter school teacher allegedly had lewd communications with at least 18 students, claiming he did it “to be the cool teacher,” according to prosecutors and court papers.

Jeffery Bryant, 25, was busted in March for asking a student for a threesome, sending two other girls sex videos and sexting a fourth teen.

But ADA Melanie Soberal said Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court that the charged conduct is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Since the defendant’s arrest, approximately 18 students have reported receiving inappropriate communications from him, and we’re continuing to investigate that,” Soberal said.

Bryant — who was formerly a middle school history and music teacher at Democracy Prep Endurance — pleaded not guilty Wednesday to five counts of disseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child.

He’d only been at the school for seven months when he was fired in March for sending explicit photos and videos to students as young as 13.

In an interview with cops, he allegedly confessed and said, “I did it to be the cool teacher.”

He allegedly admitted, “I sent male and female pornography and twerking videos. I spoke to them about their personal lives and relationships and told them about my past sexual experiences.”

Defense lawyer Melanie Dearth asked Justice Curtis Farber to lower his bail from $50,000 bond to $10,000.

But Soberal successfully countered that Bryant is unemployed, no longer lives with his wife and is a flight risk.

DA Cy Vance Jr. released a statement urging other victims to come forward.

“As alleged, Jeffery Bryant took advantage of his position as a middle school history teacher to send graphic videos and messages to children in his care,” Vance said. “If you or someone you know has been a victim of abuse, I urge you to call our Child Abuse Unit at 212-335-4308.”

via: https://nypost.com/2019/05/02/harlem-teacher-accused-of-lewd-conversations-with-18-students/

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