A senior teacher at one of Sydney’s most prestigious schools has been charged over his alleged role in an online child abuse ring.
Cody Reynolds was the head of English at Moriah College in the eastern suburbs before being stood down on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers at his home in Kensington on Wednesday morning.
He is accused of possessing and sharing child abuse material through a laptop and two mobile phones.
Moriah College principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler informed school parents of the arrest in a letter on Wednesday.
“This morning we were contacted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to inform us that our High School Head of English, Mr Cody Reynolds, has been arrested and charged in relation to the possession and transmission of child abuse material,” Rabbi Smukler wrote.
“We have been assured by the AFP that there is currently no evidence or information to suggest that any of the (alleged) offences occurred at school, or that any charges relate to online, or in person contact, with Moriah College students.
“Mr Reynolds commenced at Moriah as Head of English in 2021. He was recruited in-line with our stringent Employment Policy, which includes thorough referencing and child safety vetting.”
Reynolds was allegedly identified as a result of analysis of data seized during the arrest of a 26-year-old Lower North Shore man last week.
He was charged with possessing child abuse material, using a carriage service to transmit, publish or distribute child abuse material and three counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material accessed by a carriage service.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars.
Reynolds will face Central Local Court on Thursday.
