Parents in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are alarmed after a third local teacher was arrested within a month over allegations of inappropriate behavior with minors. The latest suspect, 41-year-old Julian Gunther, a social studies teacher at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts, was taken into custody Tuesday for allegedly sending sexually explicit messages to someone he believed was a 12-year-old girl.
According to court documents, the messages were part of a sting operation conducted by a Santa Fe police detective posing as a child online. Gunther allegedly responded to a post he made seeking women aged 18–35, then continued communicating with who he thought was a pre-teen girl. The conversations reportedly became sexual, and Gunther is accused of sending nude images and videos—some of them while at work.
Gunther allegedly expressed concerns about being caught, telling the undercover officer that he was “paranoid about getting sent to jail.” He also reportedly told the fictitious girl she could become legally emancipated in four years.
Gunther’s employment at the school began mid-semester and his contract was not renewed. School officials declined to comment on the reason for that decision but confirmed no prior complaints had been received from parents, students, or staff.
New Mexico’s Public Education Department condemned the incident. Communications Director Janelle Garcia stated, “The safety and well-being of students is our high priority, and behavior of this nature has no place in our school or communities.” She added that disciplinary action could include suspension or revocation of teaching licenses when credible complaints arise.
Gunther’s arrest follows the recent arrests of two other Albuquerque educators. Patrick Corr, a teacher at John Adams Middle School, remains jailed after being accused of engaging in inappropriate relationships with students and allegedly impregnating a 15-year-old girl. Meanwhile, Hope Christian Elementary teacher Kelly McEachran was arrested in Idaho by U.S. Marshals after being charged with inappropriately touching an 11-year-old student. Investigators believe additional victims may exist.
The disturbing trend has prompted calls for increased vigilance and parental involvement. Dr. Kristina Sowar, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico, emphasized the need for parents to discuss safe and unsafe touch with their children and to ensure kids understand they can report inappropriate behavior, regardless of who the perpetrator may be.
