Syracuse teacher accused of sending explicit text to 14-year-old student, DA says

Syracuse, N.Y. — A teacher in the Syracuse City School District was arrested Wednesday for sending sexually explicit text messages to a 14-year-old student, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said.

An Kha, a 25-year-old teacher with the Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School, was charged with first-degree disseminating indecent material to a minor, a Class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, Fitzpatrick said. He was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Kha sent the text to a student at Fowler high school, the DA said.

Kha, who has worked in the district since 2021, was placed on administrative leave, Jaime Alicea, the district’s superintendent, said in a statement Thursday.

“The District’s primary concern remains the health and safety of all members of our community,” Alicea said. “The District has staff available for student counseling, as needed. We encourage students to reach out to trusted adults if they would like support.”

District officials said any additional information about the arrest would be handled by the Syracuse Police Department. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard has reached out to the Syracuse Police Department for more information about the arrest.

Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.

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