Former chemistry teacher arrested for sexting with teenage student in Chester County

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- A former high school chemistry teacher from Chester County has been charged with exchanging sexually explicit images and text messages with one of his teenage students.

30-year-old Brandon Mitchell of West Chester is charged with child pornography, unlawful contact with a minor and other offenses.

According to prosecutors, Mitchell taught chemistry at Downingtown West High School from November 2010 until April 2015, when he was suspended due to the investigation into his alleged activities.

He has since resigned.

Prosecutors say between May 2013 and December 2014, Mitchell and one of his 16-year-old male students exchanged nude pictures of each other through texting, and sent over 12,000 text messages to each other, many of which were sexually explicit.

They say Mitchell later told the victim to delete all of their conversations.

Despite this, prosecutors say, investigators were able to recover hundreds of the communications.

Mitchell was arrested on February 3rd and charged.

Bail was set at $50,000.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 9th in Downingtown.