Prosecutors say Monarchi sent his selfie to a victim. 

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

A Dutchess County middle school teacher has been arrested on federal charges alleging he used social media to send explicit messages to underage students, prosecutors announced.

Daniel Alan Monarchi, 26, of Red Hook, was taken into custody on Friday, Aug. 22, and appeared in White Plains federal court, where he was ordered detained, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Aug. 25. 

Monarchi, who worked as a special education teacher at Haviland Middle School in Hyde Park according to the school's website, is accused of contacting multiple minors on the messaging platform Discord using the name “mrteacherman,” federal prosecutors said. 

Investigators allege he used the account to hold inappropriate conversations with at least three young teens between September 2024 and February 2025. 

The first of these conversations began in September 2024, when “mrteacherman" allegedly contacted a 14-year-old victim over Discord and began engaging in sexual conversations with her over the course of the month, federal officials said.

As part of these conversations, Monarchi asked the girl if she had "any sexy classmates" and also called her his "after-school snack," according to prosecutors, who also allege that he asked her to send him explicit videos after three weeks, adding, "I want to see you strip." 

After this, the victim sent three explicit videos. Days later, Monarchi allegedly sent her a selfie showing his face and then a photo of his erect penis, prosecutors said. 

The alleged conduct did not stop there, as Monarchi went on to ask for more sexually explicit videos from the victim, messaging her, "Show me how special you are. Show me why you deserve an A+," according to the US Attorney’s Office. 

Months later, in February 2025, a 13-year-old victim was contacted by the “mrteacherman" Discord account, which sent the child messages like "I’d make you stay after class to earn ‘extra credit," prosecutors allege. Monarchi also allegedly told the victim that he would "“never like download or save any of your pictures," adding, "you’re safe with me." 

Monarchi even sent the second victim a photo of his classroom, according to prosecutors. The victim eventually reported the conversations to investigators after Monarchi allegedly sent the child pictures of his penis throughout the day and night, the US Attorney's Office added.

A third victim, aged 14, was also contacted by the “mrteacherman" account, prosecutors said, adding that she reported it to law enforcement after the conversation turned sexual and she blocked him.

According to prosecutors, Monarchi sent photos that identified him as the person behind the account. Investigators confirmed his identity through motor vehicle records and by matching school images he sent.

Monarchi is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted. 

Following Monarchi's arrest, the Hyde Park Central School District sent a letter home to families on Monday, writing that they do not think any Hyde Park students were victimized, and that none of the victims reside in the Hudson Valley.

"While this situation is deeply concerning, the safety and well-being of our students is, and always will be, our top priority," district officials wrote. 

They also said that an out-of-state resident originally reported concerns about Monarchi earlier in August. This prompted an administrator to report these concerns to the district's Superintendent of Human Resources, who then reached out to New York State Police. 

"We understand that news like this may cause concern and even distress among our families, students, and staff," the district wrote in the letter, continuing, "The district is conducting its own investigation and will handle the matter in accordance with its policies and those of the New York State Education Department."

Superintendent Pedro Roman also released a statement: "I am deeply concerned about the federal charges brought against one of our teachers. This news is both shocking and distressing. Our thoughts are with the victims and all affected by this situation."