A teacher at a prestigious New York high school has been arrested after he allegedly created a fake online profile using photos of a former student to lure underage boys into sending him nude pictures.
Jon Cruz, 32, was arrested on Friday and charged in federal court with producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said in a news release.
Cruz had worked as a teacher and debate team coach at the Bronx High School of Science, a public high school that has been ranked as one of the top schools in the nation.
Cruz began teaching at the school as a substitute in 2006, and became a full-time social studies teacher in 2011.
Cruz was an active Facebook user who posted many photos of his classroom and himself posing with students.
Last Halloween, he posted an album with pictures of himself dressed as Chester A. Arthur, the 21st president of the U.S. The year before, he dressed as Liberace.
"There is honestly nobody more hardworking and passionate than Mr. Cruz," the debate club's president wrote on the team's Facebook in January. "He works tirelessly to maximize our competitive success, and he seldom gets enough recognition. Let's all take a moment to congratulate one of the speech and debate community's most successful, ambitious, and selfless coaches."
However, this seemingly devoted teacher was simultaneously exploiting young boys online for years, according to authorities.
According to the criminal complaint, Cruz created a fake profile on the messaging app KIK using photos of a male former student. The student, who graduated in 2014 and now attends college, is a former member of the debate team and was friends with Cruz on Facebook.
Authorities allege that Cruz stole photos accessible to him through Facebook to create the fake profile.
He then started messaging young boys in multiple states, most of whom were around 15 years old, the complaint says.
Cruz allegedly described himself on the internet as a "nerd" who had a thing for "jocks."
He allegedly asked the boys about their sexual history, asking one if his bedroom was his "headquarters," and constantly complimented them.
"Pictures just have a huge impact on me," he allegedly said in one message. "Seeing your feet and face and muscles and room and awards and stuff reinforce what a big deal you are."
Cruz enticed the boys to send him naked photographs by bribing them with Visa gift cards worth as much as $500, authorities said.
"Whenever child pornography charges are brought, it is among the most difficult and disturbing situations law enforcement must face, particularly as it relates to the victims," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in the news release. "What makes this case even more disturbing than the charges themselves is, as alleged, Jon Cruz was involved in child pornography while he was working with children every day through his job as a teacher and debate coach."
Authorities said that Cruz admitted to the acts and revealed that he had been engaging in similar chats with minors for years.
He also allegedly admitted to asking a student at the high school for a non-nude picture in exchange for payment.
If convicted on all counts, Cruz faces up to 70 years in prison.
Cruz has been removed from the classroom pending the outcome of the case.
"These allegations are deeply disturbing and saddening," New York City Department of Education spokesman Harry Hartfield said in a statement to BuzzFeed News.