Child Exploitation Charges: Boston Teacher Indicted

BROOKLINE, MA — A resident is facing multiple federal charges regarding inappropriate conversations with underage girls, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

John Magee Gavin, 35, reportedly communicated with at least 20 underage girls in multiple countries. The former science teacher at Josiah Quincy Upper School in Boston has officially been charged with one count each of coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child pornography; and possession of child pornography.

It was discovered that Gavin was using the instant messaging and social media platform Discord to communicate with young girls between the ages of 12 and 17 from six different states as well as Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Attorney’s Office said that Gavin’s communications with the minors online included inappropriate video sessions, exchanges of photos, and conversations in which Gavin expressed his attraction toward Josiah Quincy. Nearly 150 files of child sex abuse material were discovered on Gavin’s iPhone.

Before working at Josiah Quincy, Gavin was a sixth-grade teacher at the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School in Hyde Park and a paraprofessional with Brookline Public Schools. He could be facing a life sentence if convicted.