A Rockville preschool teacher was arrested April 25 as part of a child predator sting conducted by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in Virginia.
Michael Peter Sherman, 26, who worked at the Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington (Bender JCC) in Rockville, was taken into custody following an internet chat operation carried out during the week of April 21, according to police. The operation resulted in charges against eight men, including Sherman.
Police said Sherman believed he was communicating with minors under the age of 15 during the operation. He has been charged with using communications systems to facilitate offenses involving children.
“Protecting children from online predators is one of our highest priorities, and I commend our investigative team and partners for their diligent efforts in securing these arrests,” LCSO Sheriff Michael Chapman said in a statement. “These disturbing cases underscore the importance of parents actively monitoring what their children do online and on messaging platforms, and teaching them how to stay safe.”
Bender JCC immediately fired Sherman on April 25 after hearing of the arrest, according to a written statement from the school. He is prohibited from returning to Bender JCC in any capacity.
“The arrest had no connection to any conduct that took place at Bender JCC,” the school said in the statement. “Sherman had no previous allegations made against him at the time of his hire. As standard practice for all employees, the Bender JCC conducted regular background checks and screenings during Michael Sherman’s employment that did not yield any prior misconduct.”
