Former Boston Science Teacher Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Global Child Exploitation Scheme

Ex-science teacher John Magee Gavin receives a 10-year federal prison sentence for child exploitation involving victims across the US, Canada, and the UK.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 15, 2026, 5:55 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Boston.com

Federal Sentencing Following Guilty Plea

In a federal court ruling on Friday, John Magee Gavin of Brookline was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencing comes after Gavin pleaded guilty in December 2025 to federal charges including coercion and enticement of a minor, as well as the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Gavin’s legal troubles began in early 2025 when investigators identified him as the operator of a Discord account used to exploit minors on an international scale.

Global Reach of Discord Exploitation

Investigations revealed that Gavin contacted at least 20 girls, aged 12 to 17, using his Discord platform. His reach extended far beyond Massachusetts, targeting victims in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, as well as minors in Canada and the United Kingdom. Gavin reportedly used his status as a teacher to build rapport with these minors, initiating sexualized conversations and coercing at least one victim into sending explicit images of herself. Law enforcement officials have confirmed that all victims have been identified and their families have been notified.

Disturbing Activity During School Hours

One of the most alarming aspects of the case revealed by prosecutors was that Gavin engaged in these sexualized chats and solicited images while he was physically at school. Court filings indicated that Gavin expressed sexual interest in specific students at Josiah Quincy Upper School, including a freshman student he claimed to fantasize about. Despite these internal fantasies, the primary charges focused on his digital interactions with minors outside of his immediate student body.