NY Teacher Accused Of Exchanging Explicit Images, Videos With Minors Online: FBI

HYDE PARK, NY — A special education teacher at Haviland Middle School is accused of luring teenage girls into exchanging sexually explicit photos and videos with him.

Daniel Alan Monarchi, 26, of Red Hook, New York, was arrested Friday and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York announced Monday.

Monarchi was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. If convicted, Monarchi could face between 15 and 30 years in prison.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said Monarchi is accused of conducting “multiple sexually explicit conversations with victims he knew to be minors.”

“We entrust teachers with the responsibility of helping to care for our children and not harm them,” Raia said.

A government complaint against Monarchi describes him as a middle school special education teacher in Hyde Park, New York.

Haviland Middle School’s website staff directory lists him as a special education teacher as of Wednesday.

The school district said in a news release, “Our district was recently made aware that a member of our faculty has been arrested and charged with a federal offense of sexual exploitation of a minor. This is an active investigation, but law enforcement does not believe any Hyde Park students were involved. While this situation is deeply concerning, the safety and well-being of our students is, and always will be, our top priority.”

Hyde Park Central School District is cooperating with law enforcement and is also conducting its own investigation, and “will handle the matter in accordance with its policies and those of the New York State Education Department.”

“I am deeply concerned about the federal charges brought against one of our teachers. This news is both shocking and distressing. Our thoughts are with the victims and all affected by this situation,” said Superintendent of Schools Pedro Roman.

In the complaint, prosecutors claim Monarchi contacted a 14-year-old girl, an eighth grader, via Discord in September 2024 while using the name “mrteacherman.” During the ensuing conversations, prosecutors claim Monarchi engaged in sexual conversations with the teen, eventually getting her to send him sexually explicit videos of herself, and sharing images and videos of himself.

In February 2025, a second teen, aged 13, was contacted by the Discord “mrteacherman” account, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. This teen reported to investigators that the individual sent photos of his penis and video of himself masturbating, and she told authorities she had sent him nude photos of herself when she was 12-years-old, documents show.

A third youth, age 14, was contacted by a Discord account with the same “mrteacherman” name, and she reported to law enforcement that the person was “really sexual and wanted to role play, so she eventually blocked him.”

“Sexual exploitation of children is too prevalent in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Parents, caregivers, and teachers: if you sense something wrong, please seek assistance. Sexual exploitation of children by teachers and others we entrust must be stopped.”

The FBI is asking anyone who has had contact with the Discord account “mrteacherman,” to contact its toll-free Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or by completing its online tip form at tips.fbi.gov.