Christopher Teague was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography, cops said. (Aug. 30, 2012) Photo Credit: James Carbone
Originally published: May 29, 2013 1:17 PM
Updated: May 29, 2013 10:03 PM
By andrew.smith@newsday.com
A former Middle Island junior high school math teacher was sent to jail Wednesday for sharing child pornography with others, including minors.
Christopher Teague, 35, of Coram, pleaded guilty in February to promoting a sexual performance by a child and numerous other charges. Wednesday, Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn said she had considered “a great deal of material on the defendant’s behalf” that she had received from teachers, supervisors and parents of students in deciding to sentence Teague to 6 months in jail and 10 years’ probation.
Assistant District Attorney John Cortes urged that Teague receive “significant” prison time. The maximum he faced on the top charge was 7 years.
“The defendant engaged in shameful behavior,” Cortes said. “He has insulted the educational field.”
Cortes said Teague distributed by computer the images of children engaged in sex acts to child sex abusers and to children he didn’t know.
Teague hugged his tearful parents before he was sentenced and said nothing when Kahn asked if he wanted to speak.
Supporters sent the letters “despite these disturbing and horrifying charges,” Kahn said.
Defense attorney Michael Brown of Central Islip told her, “There’s a lot more to my client than what’s in that indictment.”
Kahn said the sentence was consistent with similar cases.
“There is no evidence whatsoever of any contact by Mr. Teague with any student in the school district,” Kahn said, adding that Teague will be prohibited from having contact with children when he gets out of jail. “He can’t teach them,” she said.
Brown conceded, “This is a horrible thing that he’s done,” but said the people who knew him best spoke up for him. He said his client is already seeking counseling.
“He is a highly respected educator who is well-liked by numerous members of the community,” Brown said afterward. “I commend the judge for taking into account a lifetime of good. I think she was fair and just in assessing punishment coupled with rehabilitation.”
Teague was arrested in August as a result of a lead from the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was suspended immediately by the Longwood school district. His teaching certificate has been revoked.