Former middle school teacher arrested for sending inappropriate texts to student

TRUMBULL, Conn. (WFSB) - A former middle school teacher in Trumbull was arrested for exchanging inappropriate text messages with a 13-year-old male student, according to Trumbull police.

Police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Ryan LaSella of Milford.

LaSella turned himself in on Tuesday when he learned there was a warrant out for his arrest.

LaSella was a teacher at Madison Middle School in Trumbull.

Police said the arrest resulted from an investigation that began in March 2026. The Trumbull police school resource officer was notified of the complaint by Trumbull school administrators.

The complaint claimed that LaSella sent inappropriate text messages to the 13-year-old boy between July 2025 and March 2026.

LaSella was charged with risk of injury to a child.

He was released on a $15,000 bond and scheduled to be arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on June 30.

School officials told police that he resigned from his teaching position with the Trumbull school system on April 2, 2026, shortly after the complaint was originally received.