Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A Dutchess County man has been charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor, according to an announcement by Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Daniel Alan Monarchi was arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause in White Plains federal court on August 22, 2025.
“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.”
“We entrust teachers with the responsibility of helping to care for our children and not harm them by engaging in sexual exploitation of minors,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. “Daniel Monarchi, a special education teacher, allegedly conducted multiple sexually explicit conversations with victims he knew to be minors. The FBI will continue to bring to justice any individual who endangers minor victims with sexually explicit behavior and actions.”
According to allegations in the complaint filed on August 19, 2025, Monarchi worked as a special education teacher at a middle school identified as School-1 in Dutchess County.
In September 2024, Victim-1, age 14, was contacted via Discord by someone using the name “mrteacherman.” This account told Victim-1: “I teach 7th grade” and “I’m a social studies special Ed teacher.” Over about a month, “mrteacherman.” engaged in sexual conversations with Victim-1 and asked her if she was “an 8th grader,” which she confirmed. The account asked if she had “any sexy classmates” and referred to her as his “after school snack.” Three weeks into their conversation, he requested sexually explicit videos from Victim-1 and stated: “I want to see you strip.” Victim-1 sent three videos where she appeared naked. Two days later, “mrteacherman.” sent Victim-1 a selfie showing his face along with another photo displaying his erect penis. He continued requesting explicit content from Victim-1.
In February 2025, Victim-2—age 13—was also contacted by the same Discord account. The account described sexual acts it wanted to perform with both Victim-2 and another minor (Victim-3), saying things like: “I’d make you stay after class to earn ‘extra credit.’” He assured Victim-2 that he would not save her pictures and added: “you’re safe with me.” About one week after initial contact, he sent her a picture of his classroom and continued sending photos of his penis throughout the day as well as videos of himself masturbating.
Victim-3 reported that she was contacted by the same Discord user who wanted to role play sexually; she eventually blocked him.
Monarchi’s name appears on School-1’s public staff directory as a special education teacher named Daniel Monarchi. A photo sent by "mrteacherman." matched the exterior of School-1’s building.
Investigators compared New York Motor Vehicle records for Monarchi with images sent during these interactions; they determined that his DMV photo resembled the selfie sent to one victim.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims related to this alleged conduct. Anyone with information or who interacted with the Discord account "mrteacherman." is encouraged to contact the FBI via its toll-free Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or through its online tip form at https://tips.fbi.gov.
Monarchi, age 26 from Red Hook, New York, faces one count of sexual exploitation of a minor—a charge carrying up to 30 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years if convicted.
The actual sentence will be determined by a judge according to guidelines set forth by Congress.
Jay Clayton commended efforts from several law enforcement agencies including the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and FBI Columbia Division in South Carolina.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia M. Reville from the Office’s White Plains Division.
