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Teacher arrested over 'sexy picture' message to student

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Posted at 8:00 AM, May 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-28 08:00:07-04

CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. -- Deputies arrested a Culpeper County High School teacher for sending sexually suggestive social media messages to a student.

Stephen Kirsch, 31, of Bristow, was charged with using a communications system for the purposes of soliciting, with lascivious intent, a person less than 18 years of age.

“Kirsch initiated an inappropriate conversation with one of his former students (a current Culpeper student) through a popular social media application in the early morning hours of May 25th, 2020. Kirsch suggested the exchange of ‘sexy’ pictures between the two and made several sexually suggestive and inappropriate comments, to include his intent of masturbation,” a Culpeper Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said. “The student subsequently emailed CCHS administrators to report Kirsch's contact on social media and inappropriate requests for sexual pictures and his sexual comments. School Administration immediately made contact with the child's parents and the Sheriff’s Office.”

Kirsch, who has since been released on a $5,000 unsecured bond, has been a math teacher at Culpeper High School for the last six years, according to investigators.

“We’re very thankful that the victim quickly contacted school authorities to report the incident,” Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins said. “There may have been other similar incidents involving this suspect and we hope that those persons will feel comfortable coming forward to be heard.”

The Culpeper Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 540-727-7520.

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