New York, NY – A 37-year-old first-grade teacher in Queens has been arrested after his family secretly recorded him admitting to storing and sharing hundreds of child pornography images and videos, federal prosecutors said.
The man, Christopher Ward, allegedly conducted these crimes while teaching some of New York City’s youngest students at Hunters Point Elementary School.
Teacher Accused of Sickening Crimes
According to authorities, Ward used a messaging app to share the disturbing content for at least a year. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, “Every day, Christopher Ward stood at the front of a classroom of first graders while allegedly storing hundreds of images exploiting children just like them.”
Ward’s relatives recorded him in early September confessing to receiving child pornography and sharing the content at least 30 times. The family also turned over his phone to law enforcement, which contained evidence of the alleged crimes.
Court documents noted that Ward deleted a messaging app, possibly in an effort to hide his illegal activity.
School and Employment History
Ward taught at Hunters Point Elementary School from September 2024 until this month and has not been at the school since September 5. Prior to that, he worked at the Academy of St. Joseph, a Catholic school in Manhattan, from January 2021 through June 2024.
The New York City Department of Education called Ward’s alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and confirmed he is no longer employed by the school district. Officials said they support permanently revoking his teaching certificate.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Ward was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty. He is being held in custody pending his next court date on October 2.
According to the reports, he faces the following charges:
- One count of receiving and distributing child pornography
- One count of possessing child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors and children under 12
Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the allegations “sickening and illegal”, adding that there is zero tolerance for anyone who exploits children. Parents and community members have expressed shock and concern over the breach of trust, highlighting the importance of school safety and vigilance.
What measures should schools take to better protect children from predators in educational settings? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
