Bronx high school teacher accused of producing child pornography

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A long-serving teacher and debate coach at a high school in the Bronx is under arrest and facing federal charges, accused of producing child pornography.

Jon Cruz remains behind bars on one million dollars bond.

He's accused of sending several thousand dollars to teenage boys across the country in exchange for suggestive and nude pics, and these disturbing allegations still have many reeling.

According to federal investigators longtime social studies teacher Jon Cruz is not the man many have come know at the Bronx High School of Science.

Also director of the schools debate team, investigators say Cruz waived his Miranda rights when officers came to arrest him at his home Friday, where he admitted to asking minors across the country for pornographic photos.

A tip from a concerned parent more than 2,000 miles away in New Mexico is what first lead the FBI to Cruz back in December.

Throughout the course of their investigation, authorities say Cruz used an online alias with the help of the chat app KIK to solicit photos from young boys in both New Mexico and New York.

According to the criminal complaint, Cruz allegedly paid one 15-year-old boy over $500 to take sexually explicit pictures of himself.

Investigators claim they also traced one of the IP addresses connected to the KIK account Cruz used to the New York City school system.

It's a whirlwind of allegations that still have many students spinning.

Cruz is now facing federal charges of producing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

The Department of Education released the following statement saying: "These allegations are deeply disturbing and saddening. This teacher has been removed from the classroom, and will not be in contact with any students."

Counselors will be available to students on Monday to address any concerns.

Persons with information about children with whom Cruz may have had inappropriate sexual contact, or from whom he may have solicited sexually explicit images or videos, are urged to contact the FBI hotline established for this investigation at (212) 384-2166 or email FBI-BHS@ic.fbi.gov.