New York Teacher Charged with Soliciting Explicit Material from Minors on Snapchat
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A New York high school teacher, Ryan McCaffery, has been charged with 11 sex-related crimes after allegedly using Snapchat to solicit explicit material from minors, according to police reports. McCaffery, aged 37, faced charges including disseminating indecent material to minors, attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, acting injuriously to a child, promoting a sexual performance by a child, and possession of sexual performance by a child, as revealed in a news release by the New York State Police (NYSP).
In January 2025, a search warrant was executed at McCaffery’s residence, where several electronic devices were confiscated in connection with online chat conversations of a sexual nature with underage victims in 2022. The Bergen County, N.J., Prosecutors’ Office stated that McCaffery purported to be a juvenile while communicating with a victim under the age of 13. Subsequently, he was interviewed by the NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Bergen County, N.J., Prosecutors’ Office, leading to his arrest in February 2025 on charges of sexual assault, child endangerment, and lewdness.
Formerly a social studies teacher and coach at Riverhead High School, McCaffery resigned from the school district just days before his arrest in Bergen County. The school’s Interim Superintendent confirmed that the charges against McCaffery did not involve any students from Riverhead High School. Following his arrest in New Jersey, further investigations led by NYSP’s Computer Crime Unit and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office uncovered that McCaffery, under the alias “C_chambers77,” engaged in inappropriate online interactions, including requesting nude photos and partaking in sexual video chats with victims on Snapchat.
The NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigations continued to probe into allegations from December 2024, culminating in McCaffery surrendering to authorities on May 12, 2025. He was subsequently arrested, charged, and brought to Suffolk County First District Court for arraignment. McCaffery is due to appear in court in both New Jersey and Long Island as the investigation remains ongoing.
Parents or guardians who suspect their child may have been inappropriately contacted by the username “C_chambers77” on Snapchat are urged to contact the New York State Police at 631-756-3300. In light of this troubling case, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in monitoring children’s online activities and reporting any suspicious behaviour to law enforcement.
Cases of adults exploiting social media platforms to prey on minors highlight the necessity of educating both children and parents about online safety measures. Authorities recommend that anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse reach out for support, such as by texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 for confidential counselling. Additionally, those suspecting child abuse can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or visit www.childhelp.org for assistance, available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains vigilant in safeguarding the well-being of its youth against such reprehensible acts. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for proactive measures to protect minors from online predators and ensure their safety in both virtual and physical environments.