Fridley substitute teacher charged over Snapchat sexual messages to students
Anoka County prosecutors have charged 42-year-old Rey Dela Gente Jagolina of Fridley with nine felonies for allegedly sending nude photos and videos of himself and engaging in sexual conversations with current and former Fridley Middle School students over Snapchat. According to the criminal complaint, Fridley Police were alerted Nov. 6, 2025, after staff learned a 14-year-old student had received sexual images, and an investigation by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office uncovered at least 10 student victims and 483 messages with one victim between Oct. 27 and Nov. 6 alone. Investigators say Jagolina admitted being “inappropriate with students,” used multiple Snapchat accounts to contact minors, sent at least one explicit image at 1:10 a.m., and asked one student, “Can I sleep over there?”. He is charged with three counts each of solicitation of a minor via electronic communication, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and distributing sexual material to a minor; state officials are seeking a warrant and say he may already be in Thailand, calling him a significant flight and public safety risk. The case heightens concerns about background checks, social‑media boundaries, and monitoring of substitute teachers in metro schools, and parents are likely to press Fridley and other districts for clearer safeguards and reporting protocols.
📌 Key Facts
- Defendant: 42-year-old Rey Dela Gente Jagolina of Fridley, a former substitute teacher at Fridley Middle School
- Charges: Three counts each of solicitation of a minor through electronic communication, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and distributing sexual material with a minor (nine felonies total)
- Scope: Snapchat records show contact with at least 10 student victims since March 1, 2025, including 483 messages with one victim between Oct. 27 and Nov. 6, and explicit photos/videos of his genitals sent to multiple students
- Flight risk: Investigators say Jagolina may currently be in Thailand; prosecutors are seeking a warrant and label him a significant flight and public-safety risk
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Fridley, Minnesota had a population where 57.2% were White, 20.0% were Black, 14.0% were Hispanic, and approximately 3.7% were Asian.
Fridley Demographics | Current Minnesota Census Data — Minnesota Demographics
According to 2019 FBI NIBRS data, there were 71,117 White, 28,557 Black, 1,392 Asian sex offense offenders, corresponding to approximate per capita rates of 361 per million for Whites, 664 per million for Blacks, and 73 per million for Asians in the United States.
Offenders Race by Offense Category 2019 — FBI UCR
In 2023, the number of child abuse perpetrators in the US was 187,633 White, 82,421 Black, 25,113 Hispanic, and 1,441 Asian or Pacific Islander, corresponding to approximate per capita rates of 957 per million for Whites, 1,831 per million for Blacks, 399 per million for Hispanics, and 72 per million for Asians.
Child abuse perpetrators by race U.S. 2023 — Statista
Minnesota law requires school hiring authorities to request a criminal history background check for substitute teachers.
Sec. 123B.03 MN Statutes — Minnesota Revisor of Statutes
The Filipino immigrant population in Minnesota is approximately 14,551 as of recent data.
Minnesota - State Demographics Data — Migration Policy Institute
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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