Teacher Accused of Exchanging Explicit Messages, Photos with Teen Boy

An Alpine School District teacher in Utah was arrested for allegedly exchanging sexually explicit texts and images with a teenager.

The boy’s father discovered the conversations and photos on his son’s phone, KUTV reported Wednesday.

Authorities also learned the alleged victim had been talking with several others he met on apps and nude photos taken with the teen’s phone had been sent to them.

Thirty-two-year-old Andrew Walsh of Orem was reportedly one of the people in the group.

The teenager reportedly explained he was a minor while talking to Walsh and the man tried to meet up with the him, according to the outlet.

Per the arresting officer’s report, the boy explained he was 17-years-old and Walsh said, “That makes me want you even more.”

The Orem City Police officer contacted the Attorney General’s Office about the investigation. The officer was told they would accept the case and agreed there was plenty of evidence to arrest the individual.

The officer asked the suspect be held without bail because he had access to children. The individual was later booked on suspicion of enticing a minor via internet or text message and sexual exploitation of a minor.
On Thursday, Orem police said they should have done more to keep the teacher from returning to class when the school year began, according to KUTV.

Authorities interviewed Walsh on August 15 and he reportedly admitted sharing the messages and photos with the teenager.

However, he was allowed to teach the next day and officials did not inform the district until seven days later, when they took him into custody.

The police department said Thursday:

After a review of the recent arrest of a school teacher for enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography, it came to light that our agency failed to notify Alpine School District in a timely manner. Our agency is closely examining our procedures in order to insure administrators are made aware of any incidents involving active employees as soon as possible.

Walsh was an art instructor at Pleasant View Junior High last year then went to work at Orem Junior. Following his arrest, the teacher was placed on administrative leave.

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Justice advised parents to be involved in their children’s lives, especially when it came to their online activity.

The agency encouraged them to be familiar with the apps they used, implement parental controls, and report anyone who made them feel uncomfortable.