A Pennsylvania middle school teacher was charged Friday with a felony after state police said she exchanged nude images and suggestive messages with a 14-year-old former student.
Ashley Autumn Mongell, 30, was charged with Unlawful Contact with a Minor, a felony that carries up to seven years in prison, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said. Mongell was arraigned Friday and held in the Fayette County Jail on $40,000 bail; she is due back in court Sept. 24.
The Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crimes Unit opened an investigation last Thursday after receiving a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about communications involving an account associated with Mongell and one used by the teenager, according to charging documents. Investigators say the boy told police he and Mongell exchanged nude photos over Snapchat. Mongell told police the boy had been in her eighth-grade class at Connellsville Area Middle School last year and admitted sending a fully nude photo that investigators say was found on the teen’s cellphone. The affidavit also describes suggestive social media messages in which Mongell allegedly joked about the student’s age and asked that their messages disappear, at one point writing, "No texting me for 9 years."
The complaint says communications occurred on Instagram, Snapchat and via cellphone. The Pennsylvania State Police and the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment beyond the charging documents and statements filed in court.
The Connellsville Area School District confirmed it was notified of criminal charges against a teacher and placed the employee on administrative leave immediately. Superintendent Richard Evans told parents in a statement that the district is cooperating fully with state police and that the safety and well-being of students is the district’s highest priority. The statement said the district could not provide additional details because the matter involves both law enforcement and personnel actions.
Mongell’s arrest follows the referral process in which online tip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are reviewed and forwarded to law enforcement when they indicate potential criminal conduct. The state police computer crimes unit is responsible for investigating allegations that involve online communications and electronic evidence.
Prosecutors filed the felony charge under Pennsylvania law governing sexual conduct and communications with minors. Aubele’s office did not provide additional specifics about the evidence beyond what is described in the affidavit and the Cyber Tip referral. Mongell remained in custody Friday; court records show her next appearance is scheduled for later this month.
The district reiterated it will work with investigators and encouraged anyone with information to contact law enforcement. School officials said they understand that news of criminal charges against an employee is unsettling and asked for community support as the inquiry proceeds.