Philadelphia middle school teacher charged in child pornography case

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia middle school teacher has been charged after prosecutors allege the man enticed a boy to engage in sexual activity and got the child to send an explicit photograph.

Authorities say Christopher O'Sullivan, 31, communicated with the 12-year-old from Jun. 21 to Jul. 23. During the course of their conversation, O'Sullivan allegedly coerced the boy to take the photo of himself and send it via text. Prosecutors also allege that the teacher discussed sexual activities with the child.

O'Sullivan has been in police custody since he was arrested on Aug. 31.

U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier William announced Friday that O'Sullivan has been charged with 1 count of using a facility of interstate commerce to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, and one count of manufacturing child pornography.

“Rather than live up to a teacher’s commitment to care for his students, O’Sullivan robbed this young boy of his innocence and childhood," FBI Special Agent Michael T. Harpster said.

"Although today’s indictment cannot repair the damage O’Sullivan caused, it sends the message that the FBI and our partners, like the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, remain committed to hunting down child predators."