A prominent teacher at Bronx Science High School has been arrested and accused of making child pornography.
Federal prosecutors say 32-year-old Jon Cruz is accused of getting a 15-year-old from New Mexico to send him sexually explicit pictures via the Internet last year.
Officials say Cruz created an online alias, posing as a student, and engaged in chats with boys.
He allegedly paid the 15-year-old more than $500 to take and send explicit pictures of himself.
Authorities say he had non-nude photos from a student at Bronx Science as well.
Cruz allegedly used a photo to pretend to be a student to contact other kids.
Court documents say Cruz made statements implicating himself, and that images of child pornography were found at his home.
NY1 spoke with some parents at the high school who say they're having a hard time believing the accusations.
"As a parent, it's a shame that this has happened, that his professional life is so awesome, but there's obviously some issue with his personal life," said one parent.
"Mr. Cruz is a very respected member internationally in the debate circles. He's won awards in Harvard, all over the place for these kids," said another. "These kids work very hard. They don't have time to do homework. I don't know how he has time for anything, but there's due process in America and people are innocent until proven guilty."
Cruz has been with the school since 2006. He taught social studies and was the director of forensics at the school.
In 2012, he was named outstanding coach at a debate tournament.
The principal sent a letter home to parents saying Cruz has been reassigned and will no longer have contact with students.
The Department of Education called the allegations deeply disturbing. They said Cruz had no previous disciplinary history.
Cruz is being held on $1 million bond.
His next court date is April 6.
The FBI is asking anyone who may have any information about minors with whom Cruz may have had inappropriate contact with to contact them at the FBI Hotline, 212-384-2166.