Tucson middle school teacher arrested for allegedly distributing child pornography

PHOENIX — A middle school teacher in Tucson has been arrested on a child pornography charge after allegedly using an app to download and share videos of minors engaging in “sexually explicit conduct,” according to federal officials.

Ryan Bono, 36, was charged with one count of distributing child pornography and made his initial appearance in federal court  on Wednesday.

Bono, who taught language arts at Math and Science Success Academy and coached a youth soccer team, allegedly distributed child pornography to an undercover agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

The alleged pornography included a video file “depicting a nude, prepubescent boy engaging in sexually explicit activity,” federal agents said.

Despite his close proximity to young children, federal agents do not believe any of the children Bono taught or coached were victims, but they stressed the investigation is still ongoing.

If convicted, Bono can face up to 20 years in federal prison. His detention hearing is set for Friday.

Anyone with more information about the case is encouraged to call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or submit information online using the HSI tip form.

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