Overview

• Christopher Ward, 37, was arrested, arraigned in Manhattan federal court, pleaded not guilty, and is being held pending an Oct. 2 hearing.
• He faces one count each of receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, involving images of prepubescent minors and children under 12, with up to 20 years per count.
• A federal complaint cites a family-made recording of Ward admitting he received and shared such files about 30 times, plus a cellphone turned over to agents that showed a messaging app had been installed and deleted.
• Investigators say uploads to a mobile messaging platform were traced to internet addresses tied to Ward’s residences and to accounts linked to his phone.
• Officials including the U.S. Attorney, HSI, and the NYPD condemned the alleged conduct, and records show Ward taught first grade in Manhattan and Queens through this month.