Eighth Grade Teacher Facing Several Charges After Sending Sexually Explicit Photo to Student
Police say that a former eighth-grade teacher at St. Mary Magdalen School in Talleyville has been charged with several felonies and a misdemeanor after sending “sexually explicit” photos to at least one student. New Castle County police investigated the situation. They say that they were contacted about a 24-year-old teacher who “frequently communicated with her students via Snapchat and had sent sexually explicit photographs to at least one of them. Police say the student was 14 at the time they received the sexually explicit photograph.
Police contacted the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington after learning of the allegations. Police say that the diocese fully cooperated with the investigation.
The teacher’s profile page on the St. Mary Magdalen School’s website has since been removed. An archived page shows that the teacher taught Spanish.
The teacher was arrested and charged with felony Sexual Solicitation of a Minor Under 18, felony Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Indecent Exposure, a misdemeanor. She is being held on $46,000 cash bail.
Analyzing the charges
Sexual Solicitation of a Minor Under 18 is considered either a Class B or Class C felony under Delaware law. It is charged when:
(a) A person is guilty of sexual solicitation of a child if the person, being 18 years of age or older, intentionally or knowingly:
(1) Solicits, requests, commands, importunes or otherwise attempts to cause any child to engage in a prohibited sexual act; or
(2) Uses a computer, cellular telephone or other electronic device to communicate with another person, including a child, to solicit, request, command, importune, entice, encourage or otherwise attempt to cause a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act.
In this case, the teacher is accused of enticing and encouraging a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act by sending a sexually explicit picture to the minor. The law is mostly there to prevent internet solicitation of minors that occurs through social media sites like Facebook. An alleged perpetrator will attempt to get a child to meet up with them. If they actually travel to meet the child, the offense becomes a Class B felony. Class C felonies carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Class B felonies carry a maximum prison sentence of 25 years.
Enticement is another offense that the teacher could be charged with or Enticement for the Purpose of Sexual Activity. Under the rule, a perpetrator must engage in a “course of conduct” to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a child into a sexual encounter. This includes sending explicit photos of one’s self to the child. Enticement is a Class F felony.
Talk to a Wilmington, DE Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The Law Office of Michael W. Modica represents the interests of those who have been charged with serious crimes in Delaware. Call our Wilmington criminal defense attorneys today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2024/07/19/teacher-accused-sending-sexually-explicit-photos-to-student-st-mary-magdalen-school-alanis-pinion/74468107007/
