Miami-Dade police arrest charter school teacher accused of sending explicit picture to student
MIAMI -- The Miami-Dade Police Department on Wednesday asked for the public's help to determine if a teacher at Mater Bay Academy who stands accused of sending explicit images to a child was a habitual offender.
Alberto Hernandez, 37, of Miami, is facing a felony charge of electronic transmission/harmful to minors after the suspect allegedly sent a 17-year-old student a picture of the teacher's penis, according to a police report.
It was not immediately clear if Hernandez was still in custody as of Wednesday or if he has posted bond. Investigators did not say where the teacher was working at the time of the incident.
In a letter to parents, the school said Hernandez has been terminated "and will not be returning to our campus."
"The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority," the letter said. "We are committed to maintaining a secure environment where our students are safe."
Investigators with the department's Special Victims Bureau said the teacher befriended one of his students and began communicating with him via text during a school break.
At some point, the conversation grew sexual and Hernandez texted the photo of his penis to the student, who told school officials about it.
School administrators then called the police who launched an investigation.
"We take these allegations extremely seriously, and without hesitation, we contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department," the school said to parents.
Authorities asked anyone else who has had improper contact with the teacher to call their Special Victims Bureau at 305-715-3300.