NYC teacher charged in sex crimes against 6 students

NEW YORK CITY--A Brooklyn high school teacher is accused in a string of sexual crimes against six teenage girls, CBS New York reports.

Sean Shaynak, 44, was in court Tuesday for allegedly sending a nude picture of himself to a 16-year-old female student, when police announced new charges against him. The 36 new counts include kidnapping and criminal sexual acts.

He pleaded not guilty in August to charges including dissemination of indecent material to a minor. On Tuesday, Shaynak pleaded not guilty to the new charges. Bail was also set at $250,000 for the previous charge.

After Shaynak's August arrest, investigators seized three computers and two phones from the Brooklyn man's home, and discovered thousands of text messages, as well as hundreds of photographs and videos, allegedly tying him to other crimes.

Prosecutors say Shaynak victimized six girls, ranging in age from 13 to 19, between 2011 and 2014.

"It is shocking that a public high school teacher allegedly sexually preyed on vulnerable students. We will now seek to vindicate the rights of those students," said Kings County District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson.

Shaynak is accused of asking two girls to have sex with each other, taking a 15-year-old student to a nude beach in New Jersey without her parents' consent, sending explicit photos to four students, inappropriately touching and kissing other students, and gave alcohol and cigarettes to minors.

Shaynak is also charged with reckless endangerment and menacing, for allegedly terrorizing a former student with whom he had a prior relationship, prosecutors said.

"These alleged actions are completely unacceptable and have no place in, or outside of, our schools," New York City Department of Education spokeswoman Devora Kaye said. "The DOE took swift action to immediately reassign Mr. Shaynak following his initial arrest. He is not, and will not be, in contact with students. Student safety remains our top priority."

Shaynak, who is being held on $750,000 bond, faces up to 25 years in prison for the top charge against him.