DELHI — Eric Scofield, 42, of Walton, was sentenced Sept. 11 in Delaware County Court after pleading guilty to three felony counts of tampering with physical evidence, five misdemeanor counts of official misconduct and one misdemeanor count of criminal contempt.
Scofield pleaded guilty to the charges July 16.
According to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Scofield admitted under oath that he was a public servant while working as a high school teacher at Walton Central School and that he used Snapchat to communicate with five of his high school students.
Scofield admitted the communications were unrelated to schoolwork and were not authorized as part of his duties as a teacher. He also admitted that he engaged in the communications for personal sexual gratification.
Scofield was found to have sent inappropriate and sexually provocative messages and photographs to several students through social media beginning as early as October 2024 and continuing through Feb. 10, 2026. The District Attorney’s Office said there were no specific reported instances of sexual contact with students.
Scofield also admitted that he concealed or destroyed messages and images he had previously saved through Snapchat to prevent them from being used as evidence in an official court proceeding.
The criminal contempt charge stemmed from Scofield’s violation of a court-issued order of protection. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Scofield was aware that the order prohibited him from going to the victims’ school but went to the school June 10, 2026.
For each of the three tampering with physical evidence convictions, Scofield was sentenced to five years of probation with sex-offender conditions.
He received three years of probation with sex-offender conditions on each of the five official misconduct convictions and the criminal contempt conviction.
All probation terms will run concurrently, resulting in a five-year probationary term.
Judge Michael F. Getman ordered conditions that are more restrictive than standard probation.
Scofield must have his electronic communications monitored and pay for software that will allow probation officials to monitor internet searches on his electronic devices. He must provide his online passwords to his probation officer.
Scofield must obtain permission from his probation officer before maintaining a social media account and must provide probation officials with the account’s login information and passwords.
He also is prohibited from being alone with a minor without adult supervision approved by probation.
The court issued stay-away orders of protection covering eight victims. The orders are scheduled to remain in effect for 12 years, through 2038.
The District Attorney’s Office said the convictions are expected to prevent Scofield from obtaining a license to teach in New York.
