Virginia drama teacher admits to taking lewd photos and recording students changing

A former high school teacher in Virginia accused of possessing child pornography and inappropriate photos of female students now faces decades behind bars.

On May 24, Raphael Schklowsky pleaded guilty in Fairfax County Circuit Court in connection with getting caught with 8,000 images of child pornography as well as lewd photos and videos of students, The Washington Post reported.

Authorities began investigating Schklowsky, who taught drama at Herndon High School, after an au pair working in his home notified police in April 2019 about a camera she found in her bedroom vent.

Additionally, prosecutors claimed, Schklowsky, 38, hid a camera in a dressing room at the school in order to record video of girls as they changed.

Between May 2017 and June 2018, the newspaper reported, Schklowsky allegedly also used his cell phone to secretly take photos up multiple female students’ skirts and down their blouses. Police were later able to identify 10 of his victims.

As part of a plea deal, the teacher admitted guilt to two counts of possession of child pornography, five counts of unlawful filming of a minor and two counts of unlawful filming of an adult. He faces up to 37 years behind bars when a judge sentences him on Sept. 3.

“I think he should be in prison for a long time,” one victim said, according to the Washington Post.

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano noted in an online statement: “Crimes committed against young people by a person in a position of trust are particularly disturbing and will always be a priority for my office.”

Edward Ungvarsky, the teacher’s attorney, said his client is dedicated to his wife and daughters but accepts he can no longer teach, according to the Washington Post.

“Raphael Schklowsky is deeply remorseful, ashamed and contrite for his offending behavior,” Ungvarsky said in a statement. “Since his arrest, Mr. Schklowsky has undergone intensive inpatient and community-based treatment and therapy that will ensure such actions never occur again.”