A Massachusetts school teacher is accused of sending obscene Facebook photos of himself to a student.
Police in Southbridge say 21-year-old Joseph Zuniga of Webster was arrested Wednesday for dissemination of obscene matter to a minor.
Zuniga, a teacher at Southbridge High School, walked out of the police station Wednesday, shielded by his mother, after paying $540 cash bail.
He's accused of sending a male student nude photos of himself.
"Various photos from the waist down, and full body including the face," said Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson.
Police say Zuniga used his Facebook account to send the photos not once, but twice. He allegedly sent them back in 2014, when the boy was just 16, and then again this past August.
The boy is now 17.
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Both times, police say the boy didn't respond.
"All things considered, he's doing well," said Woodson. "He's a 17-year-old, good kid."
The chief says they've also spoken to the victim's parents, who were "shocked."
School officials say Zuniga, who taught English to non-English speakers, has now been fired. Additionally, Zuniga has worked since August as a teacher of English as a second language for the Worcester State University Latino Education Institute, from which he has been suspended.
Southbridge High School has notified parents and requested a no-trespass order through the police department to keep Zuniga away from school grounds.
Police say the victim never told an adult, but that a school resource officer learned of the naked photos through rumors.
They say Zuniga agreed to come to Southbridge Police for questioning Wednesday.
Woodson also says Zuniga's family and the victim's family know each other through church.
"He didn't think there was anything wrong with it because he was friendly with the student and the student was 17," said Woodson.
Police say that there's no other indication that any other students are involved, but that the investigation is ongoing.
There will be a community meeting with police and school officials about the matter next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Cole Ave administration building.
Zuniga is expected to be arraigned on the felony charge Thursday morning at Dudley District Court.
