A high school teacher and soccer coach in Riverhead, New York, was sentenced to three years in prison for soliciting nude photographs from underage girls. Ryan McCaffery, 38, who worked as a social studies teacher and junior varsity soccer coach at Riverhead High School, used Snapchat to pose as a teenage boy in order to contact minors online.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, McCaffery created a fake profile on the social media platform and “quick added” hundreds of young girls, initiating conversations in which he requested explicit images. The case was brought to light through an investigation that determined his online activities targeted multiple underage victims.

McCaffery’s sentencing on Wednesday concluded legal proceedings that underscored the dangers of adults exploiting social media to engage in inappropriate communications with minors. The prosecution emphasized the breach of trust and the exploitation of vulnerable teenagers, particularly given McCaffery’s position as an educator and coach responsible for youth development.

Details about the number of victims and the timeline of the offenses have not been publicly disclosed. Nonetheless, the court determined that McCaffery’s actions warranted a prison term reflecting the seriousness of the charges. The case serves as a reminder of ongoing concerns regarding online predation and the necessity for vigilance by both parents and institutions to protect children from such exploitation.