Shoreham-Wading River teacher charged with attempting to solicit indecent photos from minor
Mark Verity, 37, of Islip, was taken into a custody after the SCPD's Digital Forensic Unit investigated a report from the Riverhead Town Police Department.
A Shoreham-Wading River Central School District teacher was arrested after police say he asked for indecent photos from someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
Suffolk County police say 37-year-old Mark Verity, of Islip was taken into custody Friday morning at a family member’s home in Mattituck after a tip led detectives to his location.
Police say Verity had been engaging online with an adult posing as a 13-year-old.
Verity is now facing multiple charges, including attempted dissemination of indecent material to a minor and attempted use of a child less than 17 years of age in a sexual performance.
Police say there is no evidence at this time that any Shoreham-Wading River students are victims.
In a letter to parents, Shoreham-Wading River Superintendent Gerard Poole said the district was committed to "transparency, accountability and the safety and well-being of our students."
"This is a deeply troubling situation for our entire community," Poole wrote. "The charges brought forward are heinous and deeply disturbing, and they stand in direct opposition to the values we uphold as a school district. Please be assured, that at this time, we have no reports of the allegations involving any of our students."
Poole added that Verity was suspended and the situation was being handled with "the utmost seriousness and urgency."
News 12 previously reported that a Shoreham-Wading River teacher was removed from the classroom for "making disturbing remarks that were caught on a livestream."
Detectives are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim of Verity to contact the Digital Forensics Unit at 631-852-6279.
