WEST NEW YORK, N.J. — A middle school teacher in West New York has been arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes involving a juvenile following an investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, officials announced Tuesday.
Juan Sanchez Moya, 26, of Union City, was taken into custody at his residence and charged with three counts related to child endangerment and distributing obscene materials. According to prosecutors, the arrest stems from allegations that Moya exchanged sexually explicit content with a 17-year-old he met through an online gaming platform.
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said Moya is charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree distribution of obscene material to a person under 18. He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his initial court appearance.
Authorities confirmed the victim is not a student in the West New York School District and that the alleged crimes did not take place on school property. The juvenile, whose identity is being withheld, contacted law enforcement, prompting the investigation.
The investigation revealed that Moya initiated contact and engaged in inappropriate communication through digital channels connected to a gaming platform. “The defendant exchanged sexually explicit material with the victim,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Teacher detained following online contact allegations
West New York Middle School officials have not commented publicly on Moya’s employment status, but the school district has been notified of the charges. The nature of his contact with students or the school environment has not been addressed by investigators at this time.
Moya is expected to appear in court later this week as the case proceeds through the Hudson County legal system.
