Former DC Teacher Who Recorded Sex Abuse Of Student Enters Plea

HYATTSVILLE, MD — A former high school history teacher from Hyattsville who climbed through the bedroom window of a teen student and recorded himself sexually abusing her has pleaded guilty to related charges.

According to court documents, John Aaron Gass, 35, of Hyattsville, worked as a history teacher at the District of Columbia International School, a charter school in Northwest D.C., until November 2025.

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Starting in spring 2025, Gass began communicating with a 16-year-old student outside of school. Gass met with the victim multiple times to sexually abuse her, including at her home where he entered through her bedroom window late at night, prosecutors stated.

On at least two occasions, Gass recorded videos of the abuse using the victim's phone. He also exchanged sexually explicit images with the victim, court papers stated.

The victim told the Metropolitan Police Department that Gass would enter her window around 1 a.m. and leave before her mother woke up for work around 4 a.m., WUSA reported. The 16-year-old also told police that Gass sexually abused her inside a parking garage at the Children's National Hospital in the back seat of his car, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI.

The student told police that Gass also was starting to make other students at school uncomfortable, offering one-on-one tutoring sessions and making comments about another girl's appearance, Patch reported previously.

According to a statement from DC International School, staff notified police after learning of the allegations against Gass and fired him.

"The safety and welfare of our students is and will always be our highest priority. As soon as we became aware of the allegations that led to these charges, we immediately notified law enforcement and the appropriate authorities, promptly terminated Mr. Gass's employment, and took appropriate steps to provide support to the student and staff," Director of Communications Sarah Siddons said. "We have been cooperating fully with law enforcement, and will continue to support their investigation as needed. We recognize the profound impact this has on our DCI community, and are actively working to support those affected."

Gass was arrested at his home in Hyattsville in December 2025 after the victim disclosed the abuse. He pleaded guilty Monday to the charges of coercion and enticement of a minor. His sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 11.

The investigation was carried out by the FBI Washington Field Office's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department.