A Long Island band teacher has been removed from his job after allegedly sexting a YouTuber posing as a 15-year-old girl.
The unidentified teacher, who works in the Herricks Union Free School District, was taken out of the classroom after the school came across a “disturbing and upsetting” YouTube video.
“In light of this, we are conducting a full investigation into the matter and the teacher has been removed from the classroom,” superintendent Tony Sinanis said in a message to parents, according to 1010 WINS-FM.
The middle school teacher, believed to be in his 40s, was caught in a YouTuber’s “To Catch a Predator”–style sex sting in which he posed as a teenage girl on a private social media site.
The educator allegedly shared sexual photos, used graphic language, and eventually sent his phone number to the person he thought was a young girl.
After the teacher revealed his phone number, the YouTuber dropped the scam, according to 1010 WINS-FM — telling the teacher he planned to go to the police with the information he’d uncovered, as well as the teacher’s family and employer.
He also said he planned to show the texts and phone conversation the band instructor had sent during the correspondence.
The YouTuber said that with the help of artificial intelligence, he was able to identify the teacher from a selfie he;d sent, according to 1010 WINS-FM.
On Thursday, Long Island parents spoke out about the shocking revelation — with one mother lamenting the “loss of trust” that has her questioning whether her son should be in the school band.
“It was always my dream to have him be in the jazz band. For this to happen now is heartbreaking and shocking,” she told the board, according to News 12.
The Nassau County District’s Attorney’s Office, which is investigating, declined to comment.