Investigation into Sexualized Images at Elite Brooklyn Private School
Last week, an ex-con and former math teacher at St. Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, Winston Nguyen, was arrested in front of a crowd of students as part of an investigation into the dissemination of sexualized images on social media. Nguyen, who had served time in Rikers for stealing $300,000 from an elderly couple, was released two days later without being charged. However, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office is still investigating the case. Nguyen’s lawyer, Frank Rothman, stated that they are awaiting a decision from the DA’s office regarding charges against his client.
The arrest took place at St. Ann’s School, a prestigious institution where high school tuition costs over $60,000 per year. A spokesperson for the school confirmed that Nguyen is a suspect in an ongoing investigation related to the dissemination of intimate images via social media. The school immediately placed him on leave upon his arrest and he remains on leave until further notice.
Kenyatte Reid, the Head of School at St. Ann’s, initially notified parents about Nguyen’s arrest without disclosing the details of the investigation. He later revealed in a follow-up email that the investigation involved inappropriate sexualized images and that Nguyen is prohibited from contacting anyone in the school community or visiting the school.
Nguyen has been teaching at St. Ann’s since 2020, just one year after his release from Rikers Island. His previous conviction involved stealing from an elderly couple while working as their home health aide. Despite his criminal record, St. Ann’s claims to have conducted a comprehensive background check during the hiring process and believes that a nonviolent criminal record may not preclude employment. The school spokesperson emphasized that they carefully assess a job candidate’s potential fit with the school.
St. Ann’s School has a distinguished reputation and counts celebrities like Lena Dunham, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Maya Hawk among its alumni. Tuition at the luxury school starts at $52,900 for preschoolers and goes up to $60,525 for high school students, plus additional fees.
The incident involving Winston Nguyen has deeply disturbed the St. Ann’s community. Head of School Kenyatte Reid expressed his disappointment and stated that the school prides itself on its amazing faculty and a learning environment rooted in trust.
This case raises concerns about the hiring practices of elite schools and their ability to effectively screen potential employees. While St. Ann’s claims to have conducted a thorough background check, it is clear that their assessment did not prevent the hiring of someone with a criminal record. This incident highlights the importance of improving vetting processes to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
