Winston Nguyen, a mathematics instructor at the renowned St. Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, New York City, was taken into custody on Thursday, June 13, 2024, during an ongoing investigation into explicit images disseminated via social media. The arrest, which occurred in front of students, has sparked significant unease within the elite academic community.
The 37-year-old Nguyen, a former champion on the television quiz show “Jeopardy!,” has had previous encounters with the law. In 2017, he was convicted of pilfering $300,000 from a 96-year-old visually impaired man and his 92-year-old wife and using the stolen funds to live a life of luxury.
During Nguyen’s incarceration in Rikers, he spoke out against the Department of Corrections and even called into a radio show to discuss the prison conditions with then-Mayor Bill de Blasio. Following his release, he started teaching at St. Ann’s in 2020. Despite his criminal past, the school conducted a thorough background check and deemed him suitable for the teaching position.
His lawyer, Frank Rothman, stated, “We are awaiting a decision from the Brooklyn DA’s office regarding charges against Mr. Nguyen.” Although Nguyen was released on Saturday without charges, the investigation remains ongoing.
Nguyen’s arrest has caused an uproar among the parents and students at St. Ann’s School. On the day of the arrest, Head of School Kenyatte Reid informed parents that the investigation, which originated in January 2024, involved “inappropriate images.” He also notified parents that Nguyen has been barred from contacting anyone from the school community or entering the school premises.
Reid expressed his dismay in a written statement, “This incident deeply unsettles us all. We take pride in our excellent faculty and a learning environment founded on trust.”
A representative for St. Ann’s, a school where the high school tuition surpasses $60,000 per year, affirmed Nguyen’s suspension following his arrest. She also stated that the school is fully cooperating with the authorities and encouraged any families with pertinent information to step forward.
A St. Ann’s parent questioned the school’s hiring process in an interview with The Daily Beast, “How did we end up in this situation? What does the vetting process entail? What does the background check procedure involve?” This sentiment mirrors the widespread concern among parents about how Nguyen, with his past, was able to secure a teaching position at such a reputable institution.
Despite his past, Nguyen was hired at St. Ann’s School, which counts Lena Dunham, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Maya Hawke among its prominent alumni. The school’s spokesperson defended the hiring process, stating, “A nonviolent criminal history does not necessarily disqualify someone from employment. The school conducts a thorough and thoughtful evaluation of a candidate’s suitability for the position.”
The current investigation has added a new twist to Nguyen’s tumultuous past. Sources reveal that the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office is conducting a detailed investigation into the case, and charges could potentially be filed.
Nguyen’s participation in “Jeopardy!” where he won two episodes and the Season 30 finale, made him a minor celebrity, adding an element of public intrigue to the story.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has requested anyone with information pertaining to the case to come forward. Meanwhile, Nguyen remains on leave, awaiting the result of the investigation.
As the investigation proceeds, the community at St. Ann’s School anxiously awaits clarity and resolution in a case that has deeply shaken their faith.
