Former Missouri educator faces trafficking charge after allegedly soliciting minor on Snapchat
A former Kansas City dean is facing a sex trafficking charge after allegedly soliciting a minor for lewd photographs over Snapchat, according to Jackson County court documents.
Jonathan Newton, the former upper school dean of students for Brookside Charter School, faces one count of second-degree sexual trafficking of a child, according to court documents. He was in the job from July 2023 to February 2025, according to an email sent to the school’s staff and families from superintendent Roger Offield.
A juvenile victim and their mother reported an incident involving the victim’s former teacher to the Kansas City Police Department on March 27, 2025, according to court documents.
The victim reported that on March 25, while at a relative’s house, Newton contacted them on Snapchat, according to court documents.
During the pair’s conversation, Newton allegedly asked the victim for pictures of their genitalia. Newton also allegedly told the victim he was going to send pictures of his own genitalia.
The victim did not send the picture Newton allegedly requested, and provided screenshots of the conversation to officers, according to court documents.
The victim provided detectives with Newton’s Snapchat username and called the man on Snapchat to confirm his identity, according to court documents. The victim was able to identify Newton out of a photo lineup.
In an interview with investigators, Newton allegedly gave officers his Snapchat username, which matched the one provided by the victim, according to court documents.
Newton allegedly told officers he had an inappropriate conversation with the victim, who he acknowledged was a minor at the time, according to court documents. He told officers the conversation “veered” to Newton asking for a picture of the victim’s genitals.
Newton told investigators he met the victim while working at the school, according to court documents. After his initial conversation with the victim, Newton attempted to reach out to the victim again but could not.
Before hiring Newton, the school ran a background check and criminal background check on him, the email said.
“Brookside Charter had no knowledge of any allegations of inappropriate conduct by Mr. Newton during his time at Brookside Charter,” according to the email.
A warrant for Newton’s arrest was issued Monday, according to court documents. He is currently not listed on the Jackson County Detention Center’s website, but will eventually be held on a $75,000 cash bond.
No further court dates are set in Newton’s case.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM.
