Elite Private School Teacher Plied 14-Year-Old With Liquor, Touched Her Inappropriately: DA

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A disturbing betrayal of trust has led to the arrest of teacher in Westchester County, according to prosecutors.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Wednesday that 27-year-old Nils Koehler, a teacher at the German International School New York, in White Plains, was arrested on Tuesday, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student, including plying her with liquor, and touching her inappropriately.

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The White Plains resident was arraigned in White Plains City Court on one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child, where he pleaded not guilty.

The judge issued a full stay-away temporary order of protection on behalf of the victim, and the case was adjourned to May 12.

According to court documents, between February 2025 and April 2026, Koehler had a grooming relationship with one of his students, repeatedly sending her phone messages, as well as urging her to sneak out from her home, plying her with liquor, and touching her inappropriately.

"Teachers shaping young minds bear an enormous duty of care to the students in their orbit," Cacace said. "These students are highly impressionable and often see the teachers in their lives as heroes, looking to them for guidance and moral support. This defendant, however, is accused of exploiting that position of trust to gratify a much baser impulse. Such conduct, as alleged, is not only unacceptable and deeply damaging to the student victim, it erodes the confidence of the entire school community."

"I encourage anyone with more information about Mr. Koehler's conduct, whether a student, parent or another teacher, to reach out to my office," the DA said. "We will not tolerate any behavior that puts our young students' welfare at risk."

This case was investigated by the White Plains Department of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by Assistant DA Michael Levin.

"This arrest underscores our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community," Commissioner Wade Hardy said. "The betrayal of trust by an educator, someone specifically tasked with the care and mentorship of our children, is disturbing. The safety of our students is a sacred trust, one that was callously broken in this case."

Anyone with additional information about Koehler is being asked to call the White Plains Police Department at 914-422-6111 or the Westchester DA's tip line at 914-995-TIPS (8477).