Shahiem Willis, a young New York City public school teacher, was arrested on suspicion of exchanging sexual text messages with a 16-year-old student..
Willis, 25, was arrested Tuesday and charged with acting in a manner harmful to a minor in an illicit exchange, the New York Police said.
The “sexual content text messages” were sent between July 19 and 20 in queens,authorities said. Online records indicate Willis is a general education substitute teacher on a day contract, though it was not immediately clear which campus he taught at, she said. New York Post.
The city’s Department of Education (DOE) did not immediately respond to a request for comment yesterday. Police released the photo of Willis seeking the public could “provide more information” about other possible victims.callingto 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) and in Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Also through crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or by text to 274637 (CRIMES), followed by TIP577. All communications are strictly confidential.
All charges are mere accusations and those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
In a similar case, it emerged last week that a math teacher was sued, fired, and charged with child abuse charges for allegedly filming an 11-year-old Hispanic student in the bathroom of a prestigious Catholic boys’ school in Manhattan with his cell phone. (NYC).
Last month Richard Leaf, a 75-year-old former teacher and well-known Westchester County (NY) high school sportscaster, admitted receiving child pornography.
In June Steven Marksberry, a New York police officer assigned to the Bronx, was arrested at his home on Long Island for alleged possession of child pornography.
In April Damon Rallis, former vice chairman of the Southold Town (Long Island) Democratic Committee and former leader of the city’s Boy Scout troop, pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography. Also that month, a Latino construction worker was charged with consuming child pornography in New Jersey.
He National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) warned since 2020 about an increase in cases of child pornographyfor the most adults and children time online during the pandemic. If you are a victim or suspect that someone is being mistreated, especially if they are a minor or elderly person:
