Cambridge private school teacher charged with child pornography

A Cambridge private school teacher was arrested Thursday on child pornography charges, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan’s office.

Joshua DeWitte, 50, of Cambridge was arraigned Thursday in Cambridge District Court on charges of distributing obscene material to a minor, possession of child pornography and distributing material depicting a child in a sexual act.

Authorities said the charges came after DeWitte allegedly exchanged videos and photos with minors online.

DeWitte worked as a music teacher at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, a private institution serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. According to a Boston Globe report.

Last month, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notified authorities of suspicious activity on DeWitte’s Snapchat account, where he allegedly engaged in sexual conversations with “multiple male children under the age of 18,” according to Ryan’s office .

Cambridge police are working to identify possible victims in this case, but there is no indication that any of the victims were students of Buckingham Browne & Nichols School or CPS.

Jen Price, head of school at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, said Globe that DeWitte had been placed on leave.

“He joined us at the beginning of this school year after successfully passing all criminal background checks,” Price said in a statement. “Reference checks with three previous employers also revealed no concerns. We will continue to keep our families informed of any details we learn and will cooperate fully with the appropriate agencies in their investigation of this matter.”

The school will hold an open forum with parents next week to address their concerns.

Ryan’s office said Dewitte’s bail has been set at $8,000. He was also ordered to surrender his passport, stay away from victims, witnesses and the school, and stop working with children under 18.