Elite school maths teacher is sacked after being arrested and charged for allegedly sending explicit messages to a young boy
A high school math teacher has been arrested and charged with child exploitation after allegedly sharing explicit messages with a young boy.
Roberto Charles Messina, 51, was dismissed on Thursday following his arrest at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School in Mirrabooka, north of Perth.
Messina appeared in the Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday charged with attempting to procure a child under the age of 13 for sexual activity.
The married father's complaint does not in any way relate to students at the Anglican school where he has taught for the past sixteen years.
Western Australian police confirmed the 51-year-old's arrest and said detectives searched his Wattle Grove home and seized several electronic devices.
Teacher Roberto Charles Messina (right) has been charged with child exploitation
Police allege he used a number of online sites to talk to someone he believed was a young boy and that these conversations were sexually explicit in nature, including sharing sexual images.
Messina has been charged with intent to arrest a person believed to be under the age of 13 for sexual activity, possessing child exploitation material and distributing it.
It has also been revealed that Messina had taught at one of Perth's most elite private schools, the Western Australian reported.
In March 2005, Messina was suspended before leaving Guildford Grammar School, where he was believed to have worked as a Year 8 maths teacher.
Ny Breaking Australia does not suggest Mr Messina's suspension from Guildford Grammar School was related to the matters he is currently facing charges over.
Anglican Community School principal John Septimus Roe Jason Bartell first raised the alarm with parents and caregivers in an email on Friday.
Mr Bartell said he only became aware of the allegations when police visited the school a day earlier.
The director said Messina had verified his registration with the Western Australian College of Teaching when he joined on January 1, 2008.
He said the teacher also appeared to have a clear criminal record and had previously passed.
The school immediately terminated Messina's employment, according to a statement obtained by the school WA Today.
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School principal Jason Bartell informed parents and guardians of the allegations in an email on Friday
“The school first became aware of the allegations when it contacted police on November 30,” the statement said.
'The teacher complied with all government and school child safety checks, including a valid Working with Children Check.
'All allegations relating to child safety are taken very seriously and the school is cooperating with all investigations.'
Mr Bartell also said students and staff had received guidance.
Messina has not applied for bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance on January 12.
A WA government spokesperson said they could not comment as the matter was before the courts.
“The most important consideration is the best interests of the children,” they said.
Ny Breaking Australia contacted John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School for comment.