Gabriel Lorenzo Chacon, a 32-year-old third-grade teacher at Encanto Elementary School in Phoenix, was arrested Oct. 7 on federal charges of distributing and possessing child pornography, according to the FBI. The charges followed an investigation triggered by intelligence from an undercover Australian officer monitoring an encrypted chat group sharing illicit material involving minors.
Chacon was charged Oct. 7 in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession or access with intent to view child pornography involving a minor under age 12, according to the federal criminal complaint filed the same day. The charges stem from a federal investigation into child sexual abuse material (CSAM) coordinated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operation Unit.
On Oct. 2, an account using the alias “ND Dom” posted a message in the chat: “Hey friends, let’s say hypothetically you were a teacher and you had 3 hours to kill alone in your classroom afterschool, what would you do,” accompanied by three devil emojis.
The investigation began after Australian law enforcement provided intelligence from an undercover officer monitoring an encrypted social media chat group called “The Ganymedean Brotherhood,” which was dedicated to sharing illicit media involving infants and young children. Detectives with the New South Wales Police Force assisted in the international probe. Court documents show the FBI opened its investigation into Chacon on Oct. 6, following the tip.
The undercover officer engaged the user in a private conversation lasting four hours, during which the user identified himself as a third-grade teacher in Phoenix and disclosed a sexual interest in young boys. The user sent the officer five videos depicting child sexual abuse, along with a photo of himself, according to court records.
The user also reportedly messaged, “Hail satan hail pedo power!” and said he would perform certain sex acts “between class trust me I would in a heartbeat,” court documents state. The user provided his Telegram handle, “@switchgabe,” to the undercover officer. New South Wales Police detectives used open-source databases to link the Telegram username to a phone number registered to Chacon. Investigators matched the selfie sent to the undercover officer with photos on Chacon’s Instagram account, which operated under the handle “@learn_with_mr.chacon” and described him as “Teaching 3rd grade at Encanto Elementary.”
The FBI matched Chacon’s IP address to a Phoenix residence registered under his name with Cox Communications. On Oct. 7, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Z. Boyle authorized search warrants for Chacon and his home. Federal agents conducting surveillance observed Chacon working outside his Phoenix residence on Oct. 6 before executing the court-authorized search warrant. Agents detained him in his front yard and transported him to a law enforcement vehicle for questioning.
After waiving his Miranda rights, Chacon confessed to using the encrypted messaging platform, saving illicit media to his mobile devices, and distributing files in the group chat multiple times, according to the FBI Phoenix Field Office. He reportedly insisted his actions were “just a fantasy” and denied physically abusing minors or photographing students in his classroom. Chacon provided agents with passcodes to his devices and permitted authorities to seize his online accounts.
Records confirm Chacon was employed as a third-grade teacher at Encanto Elementary School within the Osborn School District. The district said it was notified by the FBI on Oct. 7 that Chacon had been arrested in connection with the distribution of child pornography. The district immediately placed him on administrative leave, restricted his access to district technology and buildings, and reported the matter to the Arizona State Board of Education. Officials assured the public that no Osborn Elementary School students were connected to the criminal behavior under investigation.
The Osborn School District said it is fully cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues. Chacon reportedly told authorities the illicit images do not involve anyone at the elementary school and that he never had physical contact with minors. The FBI and international law enforcement partners are continuing their investigation into the matter.
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