QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — A New York City teacher is accused of sending sexually explicit texts to a 16-year-old student last month, police said Wednesday.
Shahiem Willis, 25, and the boy allegedly exchanged texts between July 19 and July 20, according to the NYPD. Police sources said Willis used to work at the same school as the student.
Willis, an English Language Arts teacher, was arrested Tuesday and charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child, according to police and public employment records.
Willis last worked at MS 935 in Brooklyn and was removed from his position after the arrest, according to a Department of Education source.
“This alleged behavior is very troubling and completely unacceptable. Upon learning of this allegation, the employee was immediately removed, pending the outcome of the arrest. If convicted, we will pursue termination. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students,” the source said.
The NYPD investigation is ongoing.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
