Former Trumbull Middle School Teacher Accused Of Sending Inappropriate Text Messages To Student: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — A former Trumbull middle school teacher accused of exchanging inappropriate text messages with a student was arrested Tuesday, according to the Trumbull Police Department.

In a news release provided by Police Capt. Donald Allen, police said former Madison Middle School teacher Ryan LaSella, 34, of Milford, was charged with risk of injury to a child after an investigation found he had exchanged inappropriate text messages with a 13-year-old student.

LaSella turned himself in at the Trumbull Police Department when he was notified of an active warrant for his arrest, police said.

According to police, the arrest resulted from an investigation that began in March when the department's school resource officer was notified of the complaint by Trumbull school administrators.

Police said the complaint alleges LaSella sent inappropriate text messages to the student between July 2025 and March 2026.

LaSella was released on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court later this month, according to police.

Police also noted school officials indicated LaSella resigned from his teaching position with the Trumbull school system on April 2 shortly after the complaint was originally received.

In an email sent to families and staff Tuesday, Superintendent Martin Semmel said Trumbull Public Schools had been informed a former Madison Middle School teacher has been charged with risk of injury to a minor.

The teacher was not identified in the email.

"When the district first received this allegation, we immediately placed the individual on administrative leave, initiated an internal investigation and notified local law enforcement and [the Connecticut Department of Children and Families]," Semmel said in the message. "The individual resigned shortly thereafter on April 2 and is no longer employed by the district."

Semmel also noted the district has been "cooperating fully with local law enforcement regarding this matter" and will continue to do so.

"We understand that this news may be concerning. The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority, and we take all matters involving student safety extremely seriously," Semmel's message reads. "We remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and staff."