Teacher at elite New York school faces sex charges

NEW YORK (AP) — A teacher at an elite New York City high school already accused of sending an indecent photo to a student is now facing an additional 36-count indictment alleging he victimized six others.

Brooklyn Technical High School teacher Sean Shaynak remained in custody Wednesday, a day after he pleaded not guilty to the new charges. Bail was set at $750,000 bond and was at $250,000 for the previous charge. Defense attorney Kimberly Summers declined to comment.

The charges in the new indictment include kidnapping, forcible touching, sexual abuse and criminal sexual act. Shaynak faces up to 25 years in prison on the top charge, authorities said.

Shaynak, 44, pleaded not guilty in August to charges including dissemination of indecent material to a minor. Authorities say he sent a photo of his genitals to a 16-year-old female student.

Authorities said Tuesday that computers and phones taken after his arrest found text messages, photos and videos detailing sexual interactions with six teens, from ages 13 to 19, between 2011 and 2014. Those interactions included taking a 15-year-old girl to a nude beach and giving alcohol and cigarettes to minors, officials said.

“These alleged actions are completely unacceptable and have no place in, or outside of, our schools,” 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.”

Brooklyn Tech is one of the most selective high schools in the city.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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