Arizona teacher allegedly shared child abuse videos in an encrypted chat. One disturbing message helped the FBI uncover his identity

Gabriel Lorenzo Chacon, a 32-year-old third-grade teacher at Encanto Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona, has been arrested on federal charges involving child sexual abuse material. The FBI arrested Chacon on Oct. 7 after searching his home as part of an investigation that began with an undercover operation overseas.

According to US Weekly, a criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Chacon is accused of distributing child sexual abuse material and possessing images involving children under 12.

The investigation started with a tip from an undercover foreign law enforcement officer monitoring an encrypted chat network used to share illegal files. The FBI began looking into an account suspected of distributing the material, but investigators first had to establish who was behind it.

Federal agents arrested him without incident

That effort eventually led to Australia. Officers with the New South Wales Police Force used publicly available databases to connect the account’s activity to Chacon’s personal information. They also found links to his employment with the Osborn School District, which the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office later confirmed.

Investigators traced an IP address associated with the account to Chacon’s Phoenix residence and obtained a search warrant. After conducting surveillance, federal agents arrested him without incident.

Chacon reportedly admitted to using the encrypted messaging platform to save and share illicit files, according to the complaint. He denied physically harming children or taking photographs of students. He also gave investigators access to his electronic devices, which are being examined as part of the case.

The arrest has put Encanto Elementary and the Osborn School District under scrutiny, although officials say there is no known connection between the alleged activity and local elementary school students. The district confirmed Chacon’s suspension and said he had been placed on administrative leave. His access to school buildings and district technology systems was also revoked.

School officials said law enforcement had assured them that no local elementary school students were connected to the reported conduct. The district also notified the Arizona State Board of Education and made counseling resources available to families.

The allegations do not establish whether his students were involved or not

The allegations are serious, but authorities have not publicly identified any Encanto Elementary students as victims. Parents may still have concerns about how the case unfolded, particularly given Chacon’s role in a school, but the available information does not establish that his students were involved.

Federal investigators are now reviewing the electronic devices collected during the search. That examination could shed more light on the files allegedly shared and whether the activity extended beyond what investigators have already uncovered.

Chacon remains in federal custody. It is unclear whether he has entered a plea or retained legal counsel, and the charges have yet to be tested in court. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.