A jury indicted John Magee Gavin, a former science teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, on charges of child pornography and attempting to entice a minor, according to a July 18 press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Gavin, 35, formerly worked at Boston’s Josiah Quincy Upper School and was arrested in February, according to the DOJ’s press release. An investigation allegedly discovered child pornography on his iPhone. The federal jury indicted him on coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to court documents. (RELATED: REPORT: California’s ‘Teacher Of The Year’ Admits To Sexually Abusing Multiple Students Under Age Of 14)

The prosecution claims that the former teacher had a Discord account that he used to communicate with a minimum of 20 underage girls ranging from 12 to 17 years old and engage in conversations of an explicit nature. The investigation also allegedly found approximately 147 files with child pornography.

The girls were located in Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, the United Kingdom and Canada, authorities say.

“It is alleged that, in these chats, Gavin disclosed that he was a teacher, engaged in sexual conversations and often asked the minors to send him pictures of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct – knowing that the children were underaged,” the press release reads.

BOSTON – JANUARY 19: Boston Police officers Dennis Murphy (L) and Billy Cloran (R) patrol outside the South Station train station during an alert for a possible terror threat January 19, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. Federal agents have told local Massachusetts authorities that four people wanted for questioning in connection with a possible terrorist threat may have illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico, headed for Boston. (Photo by Jodi Hilton/Getty Images)

Gavin was also formerly employed by Boston’s Pacific Rim Charter Public School and as a paraprofessional with the Brookline Public Schools, according to the DOJ. Gavin allegedly messaged minors during school hours at Josiah Quincy and expressed desire for minors attending the school.

A Boston Public Schools spokesperson issued a statement to WCVB 5 in February.

“The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority and after learning about this arrest today, Boston Public Schools immediately placed the individual on administrative leave,” the spokesperson said. “We have communicated this information with our families and staff and are prepared to support them. We are and will continue to cooperate with all law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues.”