A former Boston Public Schools employee is accused of grooming and sexually exploiting teen girls, as he faces a long list of child rape, sex trafficking and numerous other charges.

John Cokley, 38, an ex-Brighton High School and MissionSAFE staff member, has been arraigned on a 30-count child sex indictment.

Cokley allegedly sexually exploited five high school students through Instagram and raped two of them between last fall and this March.

The Boston man is charged with: seven counts of sex trafficking of a child; five counts of aggravated rape of a child; one count of rape of a child by force; three counts of posing a child in a state of nudity; four counts of posing a child in a state of sexual conduct; four counts of enticing a child under 18 into commercial sex; two counts of inducing a minor to sell a controlled substance; one count of dissemination of harmful matter to a minor; possession of child pornography; and purchasing child pornography.

Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden urged anyone who may have been victimized by Cokley to contact the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit at 617-343-6533.

“These allegations are extremely disturbing, particularly because they involve a person of trust with institutional access to young people,” Hayden said. “Social media is embedded in our society and so is the manipulation and exploitation that come along with it. I commend these students and the school for coming forward and encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim to contact the police.”

Cokley worked as a paraprofessional at Brighton High School from 2019 to 2021, and was affiliated with MissionSAFE, a local nonprofit that works with Boston at-risk youth and their families.

The investigation revealed that Cokley allegedly surrounded himself with teenage girls, grooming them while exploiting their vulnerabilities and financial insecurities.

Earlier this year, a local high school reported that one of their students was being sexually exploited. Investigators from the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit were provided with a series of Instagram messages between the student and Cokley — exchanging naked videos and images, as well as discussing where Cokley would meet the student to have sex in exchange for money.

Then other victims were identified, who reported being exploited and/or abused by Cokley. They described meeting Cokley through Instagram, where he used the username “Hiddenjewelsgh,” and being induced into sending naked videos and images in exchange for money.

Cokley randomly messaged the girls through Instagram and would compliment their appearance to make a connection. He would offer the girls an “allowance” if they sent him naked images or videos. Cokley repeatedly requested to meet up in person to have sex in exchange for money. Also, Cokley asked two victims to sell marijuana.

Cokley was described as always wearing a black ski mask when engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money.

He would often complain that the girls, who were typically in school, were not responding to him quick enough and threatened to take away their “allowance.” On one occasion, Cokley asked one of the victims to go into the school bathroom and take a naked video of herself, and send it to him in exchange for money through CashApp.

Investigators allegedly found dozens of naked images and videos of the victims on both his phone and Instagram account. Cokley can be seen in multiple self-produced videos of child sexual abuse material.

Cokley has been ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on July 2.

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While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County.

Also, the CAC has a specialized program, Support to End Exploitation Now, that specifically works with and advocates for youth affected by trafficking and exploitation. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146.

Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com.