Prosecutors Say Former Science Teacher Used Discord To Communicate With At Least 20 Underage Girls Worldwide & Possessed Exploitative Material Involving Minors

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 5:00 P.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BOSTON, MA.- A former Boston-area science teacher has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison after admitting he coerced a minor into sexually explicit online exchanges and possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM), federal prosecutors announced.

     John Magee Gavin, 35, of Brookline, Massachusetts, was sentenced in federal court in Boston by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Gavin pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, one count of Receipt of Child Pornography, and one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

     Gavin was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2025 and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

Teacher Targeted Underage Girls Online;

     According to court filings and prosecutors, Gavin used a Discord account to communicate with at least 20 underage females between the ages of 12 and 17 located across the United States and internationally.

     Investigators determined the victims were located in several states, including Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom.

     During the online conversations, Gavin disclosed that he was a teacher and engaged in sexually explicit discussions with the minors. Prosecutors said he repeatedly requested that the girls send explicit images of themselves, despite knowing they were underage.

     Authorities said Gavin used manipulation and grooming tactics to persuade the minors to participate in sexually explicit conversations and online conduct.

Arrest And Initial Charges;

     The investigation into Gavin intensified in early January 2025, when law enforcement identified him as the owner of the Discord account used to communicate with the minors.

     In February 2025, Gavin was arrested by local authorities and initially charged in Brookline District Court with enticing a child under the age of 16, possession of exploitative material involving minors, and other related offenses.

     The case was later adopted by federal authorities, leading to the charges that resulted in his conviction and sentencing.

Evidence Discovered In Forensic Search;

     Following Gavin’s arrest, investigators executed a search of his Brookline residence, seizing electronic devices, including his iPhone.

     A forensic analysis uncovered approximately 147 files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) consisting of:

• 94 images
• 53 videos

     According to federal prosecutors, the material depicted the sexual abuse of both female and male minors, with victims estimated to be between approximately five and 17 years old.

Online Communications With Minors;

     Further examination of Gavin’s Discord account revealed numerous chats with underage girls in which he:

• Engaged in sexually explicit online activity with minors
• Solicited explicit images from the victims
• Exchanged images and sexually explicit messages
• Conducted sexualized conversations while physically present at school

     Investigators also discovered messages in which Gavin expressed sexual interest in students attending Josiah Quincy Upper School, where he worked as a science teacher.

     In one conversation, prosecutors said Gavin discussed his sexual attraction to a freshman student at the school and described fantasies about engaging in sexual activity with her.

Teaching Career;

     Court records show Gavin had worked in multiple educational roles in the Boston area, including:

• Science teacher at Josiah Quincy Upper School in Boston
• Sixth-grade teacher at the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School in Hyde Park
• Paraprofessional with Brookline Public Schools

     Authorities said the online misconduct occurred while Gavin was employed as a teacher.

Federal Investigation And Prosecution;

The case was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division.

     Federal prosecutors said the investigation involved cooperation between several agencies, including:

• Brookline Police Department
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
• Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office

     The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Editor’s Note:

Due to the nature of this case and the presence of underage victims, Englebrook Independent News has omitted identifying details related to the minors referenced in court records. Information contained in this report is based on federal court filings and statements released by the United States Attorney’s Office. The term “child sexual abuse material (CSAM)” is used by law enforcement and victim advocacy organizations to describe imagery documenting the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.