Federal prosecutors have revealed that aides to a disgraced New York City teacher, who cared for students with disabilities, were arrested for possessing a disturbing collection of child pornography. This collection allegedly included files showing infants and toddlers being sexually abused.
Alejandro Santos, 47, faced charges in Brooklyn federal court for carrying and transporting these files on his cell phone, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York.
Santos, a Bronx resident, had worked for the city’s Department of Education for 23 years. He reportedly possessed images of children in classroom settings and similar environments.
Ricky Patel, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, stated, “The details of Alejandro Santos’ alleged crimes are among the worst nightmares for any parent.” He emphasized the importance of protecting children from individuals like Santos, who worked closely with them on a daily basis.
Authorities arrested him at JFK Airport after returning from the Dominican Republic on July 15. Border Patrol agents identified him as a “high-risk” individual, initially uncovering at least 100 videos and images of concerning content on his phone.
Investigators later discovered thousands of explicit files, with at least three minutes of video depicting horrifying acts against a naked baby and a young girl performed by an adult man.
Santos consented to provide his phone passcode, leading investigators to find more disturbing content hidden within fake calculator apps installed between January 2024 and May 2025.
He was charged with transporting and possessing child sexual abuse material. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. While there’s currently no evidence linking him to any direct abuse of children at his school, he has been suspended from his position.
A spokesperson for New York City public schools expressed concern, stating, “Suspicious behavior is extremely concerning and unacceptable.” They assured that Santos would be suspended immediately following his arrest and that they would pursue dismissal if he is found guilty.
