Former Long Island Teacher Arrested for Posing as Minor Online
Recently, a former teacher from Long Island was arrested in New Jersey on serious charges of sexual assault, child endangerment, and lewdness. Ryan J. McCaffery, a 37-year-old resident of Ridge, allegedly posed as a minor online to engage in sexually explicit conversations and solicit naked pictures from two children under the age of 13.
Using the screenname Asherkonlon2, McCaffery reportedly requested nude photos and participated in sexual acts during video chats with the victims, all while pretending to be under 18 years old. This disturbing behavior led to his arrest after a search of his home in January.
Prior to his arrest, McCaffery worked as a social studies teacher at Riverhead High School. He also served as the head coach of the junior varsity boy’s soccer team and taught in an evening program before resigning for personal reasons following the investigation.
McCaffery’s alleged interactions with the victims began in 2022, and he surrendered to authorities in New Jersey last Friday. The school district where he was employed expressed shock and dismay over the accusations, assuring parents that the charges do not involve his previous work with students.
Following McCaffery’s arrest, Riverhead’s interim superintendent, Cheryl Pedisich, condemned his actions as deplorable. She reassured the community that the charges do not involve any misconduct related to his tenure in the school district.
