Moriah College teacher Cody Reynolds arrested on child abuse material charges

A 36-year-old teacher at a prestigious private school was arrested on child abuse material charges at his Kensington home as he prepared to leave for school.

The 36-year-old was arrested at his Kensington home on Wednesday morning as he prepared to leave for school. Picture: AFP

A senior teacher at one of the best known private schools in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been charged over an online child abuse ring he was allegedly a part of.

Cody Michael Reynolds, 36, has been stood down from Moriah College high school in Queens Park after being arrested by Australian Federal Police officers on Wednesday morning.

Reynolds – who was the Head of English at the private school – is charged with possessing and sharing child abuse material through two mobile phones and a laptop from his Kensington home.

Reynolds had been working at Moriah College as Head of English for 12 months.

He was stood down from Moriah College after his arrest on Wednesday.

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday afternoon, Moriah College Principal Rabii Yehoshua Smukler said Reynolds had been teaching there for 12 months.

“This morning we were contacted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to inform us that our High School Head of English, Mr Cody Reynolds, has been arrested and charged in relation to the possession and transmission of child abuse material,” Principal Smukler wrote.

“We have been assured by the AFP that there is currently no evidence or information to suggest that any of the (alleged) offences occurred at school, or that any charges relate to online, or in person contact, with Moriah College students.

“Mr Reynolds commenced at Moriah as Head of English in 2021. He was recruited in-line with our stringent Employment Policy, which includes thorough referencing and child safety vetting.”

Moriah College teacher Cody Reynolds being arrested by the AFP on child abuse material charges. Picture: AFP

Principal Smukler said Reynolds had been stood down indefinitely and a new Head of English appointed to stand in.

AFP officers arrested Reynolds at his home just moments before he was due to leave for school.

His arrest came less than a week after he was identified when data was analysed off electronics allegedly belonging to a 26-year-old man who was arrested on the Lower North Shore on similar charges.

Reynolds was charged with possessing child abuse material, three counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material accessed by a carriage service and using a carriage service to transmit, publish or distribute child abuse material.

He is facing a maximum penalty if convicted of 15 years in prison.

“AFP officers work tirelessly to ensure anyone involved in the exploitation or sexual abuse of children is identified and prosecuted,” AFP Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar said.

Reynolds is due to face Central Local Court on Thursday.