Qns. teacher faces jail for student sexts

A FORMER Queens teacher is headed for jail after he admitted to sexting with a 15-year-old girl he once taught.

Former Intermediate School 93 math instructor Michael Cognato, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted use of a child in a sexual performance and second-degree criminal contempt of court, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Wednesday.

The Bethpage, L.I., resident was accused of engaging in sexually explicit communications with the girl and with sharing sexually explicit photos and videos with her. He was also accused of contacting the victim after he was arrested for his initial crimes.

“He preyed on this young student whom he had once been entrusted to teach,” Brown said. “This case should serve as a clear and unmistakable warning that parents must be mindful of the people their children communicate with online.”

Judge Gia Morris said she will sentence Cognato to on May 3 to six months in jail and 10 years of probation.

Cognato was accused in October of sending the girl naked pictures and at least 15 videos of himself masturbating between August and October.

The teen’s mother contacted police in October and cops charged Cognato with using a child in a sexual performance, promoting a sexual performance by a child and acting in a manner injurious to a child.

He was arrested again in February for violating an order of protection.