A former Massachusetts middle school teacher once honored with a national teaching award from Amazon is facing serious criminal charges after prosecutors accused him of raping a 14-year-old student and committing additional offenses during the 2022-23 academic year.
According to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Tymond Tran, 38, of Hudson, New Hampshire, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Essex County Superior Court. He is charged with rape of a child aggravated by an age difference of 10 years or more, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older, exhibiting a child in a nude or lascivious pose, and distributing obscene matter to a minor.
Authorities say the alleged crimes involved a student who was 14 at the time. Prosecutors said Tran was teaching eighth grade at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn during the 2022-23 school year when the offenses allegedly occurred.
Tran remains out of custody as the case moves forward, but he is subject to a series of strict conditions imposed by the court.
Former Massachusetts middle school teacher Tymond Tran stands beside his attorney during his arraignment in Essex County Superior Court in Salem, Massachusetts, on July 22, 2026. Tran pleaded not guilty to child rape and other charges. (WFXT)
Judge John C. Fraser ordered Tran to remain under house arrest with GPS monitoring. He may leave only for emergency medical appointments, court hearings and meetings with his attorney.
The judge also barred Tran from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 18. In addition, Tran must submit his electronic devices to random searches, live at an address in Attleboro, avoid any contact with alleged victims and witnesses, and possess no child sexual abuse material.
Tran is due back in court on Aug. 26 for a pretrial conference.
Former Massachusetts middle school teacher Tymond Tran arrives in Essex County Superior Court in Salem, Massachusetts, on July 22, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to child rape and other charges. (WFXT)
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Attorney Megan Stanley, who represents Tran, did not immediately respond to INC News’s request for comment.
In 2022, Tran was named one of 10 recipients of Amazon’s Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award. Amazon says the annual honor recognizes educators who promote diversity, equity and inclusion while encouraging students to pursue careers in computer science and robotics.
The company said recipients were selected for inspiring students through innovative computer science instruction and for expanding access to STEM education in their schools and communities.
Students raise their hands during a classroom lesson in this undated file photo. Prosecutors allege former Massachusetts middle school teacher Tymond Tran sexually assaulted a 14-year-old student during the 2022-23 school year. (Kobus Louw via Getty Images)
INC News has reached out to the Lynn School District and Amazon for comment on the matter.
Lynn officials confirmed to Boston.com that Tran worked in the city’s public school district from 2021 to 2024 and left voluntarily before achieving professional status.
“We are shocked and disturbed by this news,” Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson and Superintendent of Schools Molly Cohen said in a joint statement provided to the outlet. “Our primary concern is for the well-being of the former LPS student. Our hope for that student is healing and justice.”
The officials said the district is cooperating with law enforcement, conducting an independent investigation and making support available to students, families and staff affected by the allegations.
