Recorded Sex Acts Between Student, Teacher Lead To Child Porn Charge: FBI

HYATTSVILLE, MD — A 35-year-old Prince George's County man who taught at a Washington, D.C., school has been arrested after police say he recorded himself and a 16-year-old student having sex.

Police say the Hyattsville man, John Aaron Gass, previously taught history at Frank W. Ballou Senior High School.

Gass climbed through the teen's bedroom window and used her cell phone to record the pair engaging in sex, charging documents stated.

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Friday in a statement that Gass was arrested by the FBI and charged with production/attempted production of child pornography, coercion and enticement, and possession of child pornography. These instances of sexual abuse were recorded "numerous times," according to court documents, between Oct. 13 and Nov. 9.

Investigators believe the two began texting in March, court documents said.

The victim told the Metropolitan Police Department that Gass would enter her window around 1 a.m. and leave before her mother woke up for work around 4 a.m., WUSA reported. The 16-year-old also told police that Gass sexually abused her inside a parking garage at the Children's National Hospital in the back seat of his car, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI.

The student told police that Gass also was starting to make other students at school uncomfortable, offering one-on-one tutoring sessions and making comments about another girl's appearance.

According to a statement from DC International School, staff notified police after learning of the allegations against Gass and fired him.

"The safety and welfare of our students is and will always be our highest priority. As soon as we became aware of the allegations that led to these charges, we immediately notified law enforcement and the appropriate authorities, promptly terminated Mr. Gass’s employment, and took appropriate steps to provide support to the student and staff," Director of Communications Sarah Siddons said. "We have been cooperating fully with law enforcement, and will continue to support their investigation as needed. We recognize the profound impact this has on our DCI community, and are actively working to support those affected."

FBI agents arrested Gass at his Hyattsville home Thursday.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.