A former New York teacher was apprehended on Monday after allegedly coercing explicit photos from a minor by pretending to be a teenager, according to police.
Ryan J. McCaffery, who taught at Riverhead High School, faces multiple charges, including three counts of promoting indecent material to minors and three related to engaging with children under the age of 17.
Additionally, the 37-year-old is accused of facilitating sexual performance involving minors. He has pleaded not guilty to all eleven allegations, as stated by authorities.
In January 2025, the New York State Police Investigation Bureau, along with the Military L Computer Crime Unit, executed a search warrant at McCaffery’s home in New York.
The investigation was prompted by a report to the Internet Crime Against Children (ICAC) unit, leading to the seizure of several electronic devices. Following the search, McCaffery was interviewed on February 14, 2025, and subsequently charged with various crimes, including two counts of sexual assault and two counts related to child endangerment, as reported by police.
The charges arose after online communications with the victims, one of whom was under 13, revealed McCaffery soliciting images via his Snapchat account, C_Chambers77.
After a months-long investigation, McCaffery turned himself in to the New York State Police in Riverside, where he was arrested.
He was then brought to Suffolk County First District Court. Ongoing investigations by the New York State Police and Suffolk County District Attorney’s office aim to uncover if there are more victims involved.
