Bronx teacher arrested, accused of trying to lure a teenage girl over the internet

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Friday, May 15, 2015
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BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) -- A Bronx public high school teacher was arrested Thursday after an alleged internet chat with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Authorities say 27-year-old Jonathan Blum was charged with attempted rape, attempted criminal sex act, attempted endangering the welfare of a child and trying to send at least one indecent picture to a minor.

Blum was allegedly trying to meet the girl in the parking lot of a Queens Burger King at 5:15 p.m. Instead, he met the undercover officer.

The two had exchanged texts and emails before the hookup.

Blum is a 10th grade teacher at William Taft High School in the Bronx.

The Department of Education released the following statement about the arrest:

"While this alleged behavior is not school-related, it is incredibly disturbing. This individual has been immediately reassigned away from the classroom, and he will not be in contact with any students."

Blum has been a teacher at the school since April 2011, and he has no disciplinary history with the DOE.