A Long Island-based elementary school teacher is currently under investigation following allegations of inappropriate online behavior with a minor. Mark Verity, a 37-year-old teacher at Wading River Elementary School, was suspended from his duties on Wednesday after accusations of sexting a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and soliciting explicit images from her.
Verity, a married father of two, was allegedly caught in an undercover operation conducted by Predator Poachers Long Island, a local vigilante group that aims to expose potential sexual predators. The group claims to have recorded Verity admitting to his actions, which included sending inappropriate messages to a decoy account they had set up, posing as a 13-year-old girl.
The group alleges that Verity made several disturbing comments during their interaction, including attempting to instruct the supposed minor on how to perform sexual acts. Additionally, Verity is accused of admitting on camera to possessing explicit material featuring children as young as eight years old.
The Suffolk County Police Department has confirmed that they are investigating the allegations against Verity, but have not released any further details at this time. The school district has also taken action, suspending Verity and prohibiting him from entering school premises while the investigation is ongoing.
Shoreham-Wading River Central School District Superintendent Gerard W. Poole addressed the situation in a letter to parents, stating, “We have been informed that a teacher at Wading River School has been caught on a livestreamed platform making disturbing remarks.” He added that the Riverhead Police Department is aware of the situation and is conducting an investigation, and the school district will fully cooperate with law enforcement during this process.
Verity, who has been teaching for 15 years across various school districts, has spent the last decade at Wading River. He is a father to two young children, aged 2 and 3. No further details about the investigation or potential charges have been released at this time.