Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A Manhattan first-grade teacher, Christopher Ward, has been charged with possessing and distributing hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography involving prepubescent children. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and Special Commissioner Anastasia Coleman from the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the NYC School District.
Ward was arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave in Manhattan federal court.
“Every day, Christopher Ward stood at the front of a classroom of first graders while allegedly storing hundreds of images exploiting children just like them,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The women and men of our Office are committed to ridding New York of child pornography. Together with our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department Special Investigations Unit, we will aggressively pursue and prosecute those who create, possess, and distribute child pornography.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel stated: “Christopher Ward, a first-grade teacher, is accused of possessing and distributing child pornography, and even acknowledging his sexual attraction to his students—allegations that are chillingly disturbing and strike at the heart of every parent's fears. With over four years spent in close proximity to young children, the gravity of these accusations cannot be overstated. The safety of our children demands our unflinching attention, and HSI will not stop until the full facts are exposed and every offender faces the consequences.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: “When we send our children to school every day, we trust that they will be cared for and protected by their teachers. Instead, Christopher Ward made every parent’s worst nightmare a reality. These allegations are as sickening as they are illegal, and there is absolutely zero tolerance for anyone who exploits our most innocent in this way. I want to thank the NYPD investigators and our partners at HSI, SCI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for putting an end to this horrific behavior and ensuring our children our safe.”
SCI Special Commissioner Anastasia Coleman said: “Christopher Ward's actions as alleged are repugnant—and violate the trust of his school, his students, and the community overall. Possession of child pornography and other types of exploitation of minors are among the most serious issues society combats, and SCI works tirelessly to root out such misconduct from the New York City school district. SCI is grateful for its partners in law enforcement for their efforts in bringing Christopher Ward to justice.”
According to allegations in the complaint against him—which remain unproven unless established in court—Ward worked as a first-grade teacher at an elementary school in Queens from September 2024 through September 2025; prior to that he taught first grade at a Manhattan school between January 2021 through June 2024.
Authorities allege that between July 14, 2024, through July 22, 2025 Ward possessed and distributed material containing child pornography using an electronic mobile messaging application.
Ward is charged with one count each of receiving/distributing material containing child pornography—including files with sexually explicit images—and possession of such material involving prepubescent minors or minors under twelve years old; both counts carry maximum sentences up to twenty years imprisonment if convicted.
Sentencing decisions rest with a judge; statutory maximums serve only as guidance set by Congress.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended HSI agents; NYPD’s Special Investigations Unit Computer Crimes Squad; SCI investigators; Complex Analytics & Social Media Enhancement Team at NY/NJ High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; special agents/task force officers from SDNY’s Digital Forensic Unit; along with others involved.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adabelle U. Ekechukwu leads prosecution from SDNY’s General Crimes Unit.
It is noted that all charges remain accusations unless proven beyond reasonable doubt during trial proceedings.
