Cambridge teacher arrested on child porn charges, admits to taping kids

SOMERVILLE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A Cambridge teacher arrested in connection with child pornography charges admitted to filming children changing in locker rooms.

Fifth-grade teacher Josh Wairi, 27, of Somerville, was arrested Thursday. He admitted to secretly filming children changing their clothes in a locker room as well as planting a video camera in a locker room, according to court documents.

The 27-year-old was a teacher at the Graham & Parks Elementary School in Cambridge. The superintendent says that so far nothing would point towards the filming taking place at the school, since the school does not have a locker room and there was no reason for students to change clothes.

Wairi also traded child pornography films on the Internet with others and obtained them from international websites, court documents said. Wairi admitted that he was in possession of hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.

In addition, Wairi stated that he advertised babysitting services on Craigslist.

"We're all really sad about what happened, he's our brother, we stand by him as our brother, but obviously what happened is disgusting," Wairi's brother said outside of court Thursday.

Wairi was placed on paid administrative leave, according to the superintendent. He said the allegations are "deeply disturbing" for him as a father as much as a superintendent. Cambridge Public Schools will be holding public meetings to address the news about Wairi next week and the week after. They are also working with a crisis counseling team to find the best way to address the issue with students.

Wairi was previously a student teacher in Somerville at the John F. Kennedy School from 2008 to 2009. He also worked at the Arthur D. Healy school as a fifth and sixth grade teacher from 2009 to 2012.

The city's mayor, Joseph Curtatone, released a statement Thursday that read in-part, "The alleged acts shock our conscience. It is difficult to comprehend how a seemingly functional person with no criminal record could victimize children in such a horrible way. The criminal justice system will deal with this individual. What we however must do now is come together as a community."

Residents expressed their shock after learning of the allegations.

"Very surprising that people can lead a double life like that without being noticed," resident Depalle Baptise said.

Federal authorities started investigating Wairi last June after getting a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Wairi is being held and is expected in court again Wednesday. He faces up to 20 years in prison with a minimum of five years and a $250,000 fine.

Somerville officials said the following measures have been put in place:

• The city will hold a forum for school parents and guardians Friday at East Somerville Community School at 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium. An additional forum will be held after next week's April Vacation ends.
• The cafeteria at the East Somerville Community School will be open from noon until 8 p.m. Friday for any parents who have questions or concerns to talk directly to a school official or a counselor.
• The Somerville Personnel Office is collecting a complete accounting of Wairi's employment history in Somerville, which will be shared with parents, guardians and members of the community.
• The Somerville Office of Constituent Services' 24-hour hotline is open for those with questions. The number is 617-666-3311.
  
• Members of the public who have questions for the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding this case can call 617-748-3274.
• Somerville public schools will activate the Somerville Trauma Response Network and the Riverside Trauma Center to provide counseling and other resources for students, teachers, city staff, parents and guardians, which will continue after April Vacation ends, for as long as it is needed.

Cox Media Group