A Pierce Middle School science teacher in Merrillville is facing three felony charges after he allegedly showed a pornographic video and photo of himself to three students.
Mohammad Mansoor Arifee, 32, of Crown Point, has been charged with three counts of disseminating pornographic matter to three juveniles in his class last year. He denied the accusation.
Officials at the Merrillville Community School Corp. declined comment.
Arifee is accused of showing three students an image of his genitals while having oral sex.
Arifee was not in custody on Friday afternoon and a warrant was issued for his arrest with bond set at $30,000.
On Sept. 20, 2024, Merrillville Police Detective Aaron Ridgeway reviewed a report written by School Resource Officer Devante Bradley who recounted the incidents after talking with students.
The investigation began after a parent sent an email to Principal Candace Lillie regarding statements made by Arifee to her child. Officials said the investigation discovered Arifee allegedly made inappropriate comments and gestures to several students during class since the beginning of school.
Arifee and his attorney, Eric Hylton, talked with police Sept. 24, 2024, and Arifee told police he did not have inappropriate behavior with students. He denied having any relationship with students outside the classroom.
Arifee denied the allegations against him in the police interview but said he resigned from the school after being accused of cursing at students.
Arifee consented to sharing his cellphone with police for data extraction.
State records show Arifee received a Department of Education emergency teaching permit in 2023 in the area of science. It expired, and a second permit was issued July 10, 2024. It expires June 30.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
