Two girls, both 13 at the time of the incidents, have filed a federal lawsuit against a Brooklyn private school, a former teacher, and several current and former administrators, claiming serious failures in safeguarding students after online grooming and the non-consensual spread of explicit images. The complaint paints a troubling picture of digital coercion, alleged institutional negligence and a community left reeling by misuse of Snapchat for contact and dissemination of intimate content.
📌 Allegations of Snapchat Grooming and Image Distribution
According to the lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York, the ex-teacher, identified as 39-year-old Winston Nguyen, posed as a peer on Snapchat, cultivating trust with teenage girls before requesting sexually explicit photos and videos. Prosecutors have described a pattern of escalating demands that culminated in Nguyen sharing sensitive images with students after the victims blocked his accounts.
Nguyen pleaded guilty in March 2025 to charges that include use of a child in a sexual performance and endangering the welfare of a child, and is currently serving a seven-year sentence. As part of his sentence, he must register as a sex offender.
🏫 Accusations Against School Leadership
The complaint charges the private school in Brooklyn and several of its leaders with ignoring clear warning signs during Nguyen’s hiring and tenure. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that despite internal concerns and prior incidents, officials failed to adequately investigate or respond to reports of inappropriate behavior. The suit further alleges that after explicit content began circulating among students, the school did not promptly notify law enforcement or notify the wider parent community.
An independent report cited in the complaint claims the school did not properly vet Nguyen’s background — even though it knew of a previous conviction involving exploitation of vulnerable individuals — before hiring him. Whistleblowers who raised concerns about his conduct were allegedly marginalized.
⚖️ Lawsuit Aims for Accountability
The plaintiffs are pursuing legal action not only against Nguyen but also against the institution and individual administrators, seeking accountability for what they describe as institutional failures that enabled predatory conduct. In response, school officials have stated they will contest the allegations in court, calling parts of the complaint misleading.
Legal experts say the case highlights broader issues around social media exploitation, school responsibility, and the challenges of protecting minors in digital spaces — particularly when trusted adults misuse communication platforms like Snapchat.
