Maryland teacher accused of sex trafficking child in Chester County

Дата публикации: 25-09-2026 16:04:13

A Maryland middle school teacher was arrested last week after being accused of sexually trafficking a child in Chester County for years, according to prosecutors.
During a news conference Friday, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe announced the arrest of 56-year-old Rogie Legaspi, of Baltimore, Maryland, who is facing multiple charges after prosecutors said he traveled from Maryland to Chester County to sexually assault a child he met online over the span of two years.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
“This is child sex trafficking. It’s a vile crime that has no place in any community and will not be tolerated in Chester County,” de Barrena-Sarobe said.
Disclaimer: The details in this story may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
According to officials, the investigation began in May, when Chester County detectives received a report expressing concern for a 15-year-old victim.
Prosecutors said the victim was interviewed and told investigators that the man, whom he only knew as “Alex,” first contacted him when he was 12 years old.
The victim also told investigators that he and Legaspi exchanged phone numbers and began communicating. At some point, Legaspi began traveling to Chester County to meet the victim in person.
According to prosecutors, Legaspi sexually abused the victim from June 2024 until June 2026 and traveled to Chester and Lancaster counties several times to meet him for sex.
Officials said Legaspi is also accused of recording the sexual interactions on his cellphone and giving the victim money and other items in exchange for sex.
“The child reported the defendant would pay him 50 to 100 dollars to have sex,” de Barrena-Sarobe said.
On more than one occasion, according to prosecutors, Legaspi took the victim to hotels to engage in sexual contact with him and coerced him into having sex with another man.
Legaspi was identified as a teacher at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School.
“I’m certain that the parents of this defendant’s students in Baltimore have to be beyond disturbed by this news. Teachers have a special place in our society, we trust them not only to watch our children when we celebrate school, but to mold them, to teach them life lessons, not just math problems. And this defendant, this man, shattered that trust,” the district attorney said.
Last week, the school community became concerned after Legaspi’s family put out a missing persons flyer. But on Friday, the principal informed the community that the 56-year-old man wasn’t missing but had been arrested in Pennsylvania.
“I know this man, he taught three of my kids, and we were flabbergasted,” Carrie Shelley told NBC10.
Read the full statement from the school’s principal below.
We are committed to maintaining open communication with our school community whenever events impact our campus. As some of you may be aware, one of our teachers, Rogie Legaspi, was reported missing over the weekend. We can share that he has been located.
 
However, please be advised that Mr. Legaspi has been placed on leave after we learned that he was arrested over the weekend for a crime involving a minor in Pennsylvania. Due to employee privacy laws and the court proceedings, we are unable to share additional details at this time.
At Baltimore City Public Schools, the health and safety of our students is our highest priority, and we hold all staff to rigorous professional standards. To date, we have not received any information that the incident triggering the arrest involved any current or former City Schools students.  If you have concerns about interactions involving your student, please contact School Police at 410-396-8588.
Our primary focus remains on supporting our students and maintaining a consistent learning environment. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support of our school community.Natasha Pouncey, Principal of Hamilton Elementary/Middle School
According to prosecutors, Legaspi was arrested on Sept. 18 after detectives, pretending to be the victim, invited him back to Pennsylvania.
Legaspi was charged with sex trafficking, 15 counts of sexual assault on a child and other offenses, prosecutors said.
The suspect remains in Chester County Prison after being unable to post $5 million bail.
His preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 19, 2026.
Prosecutors said anyone who knows of a child who may have had concerning contact with Legaspi should immediately call the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.
If you have concerns about the safety of a child, you should say something. Call 911 or ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. ChildLine reports can be anonymous.

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