A Morris County, New Jersey, man who worked at a local elementary school and ran a youth soccer club has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for creating fake online personas to lure minors into sending him explicit images and videos, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Steven Brooks, 37, of Morristown, was sentenced to 204 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti for producing and possessing child pornography. Brooks, who worked at a New Jersey elementary school, used his positions to gain the trust of dozens of minors before exploiting them for his own twisted desires.
Brooks was found to have used fake online personas on social media platforms to solicit explicit images and videos from at least 79 minors, according to court documents. He was caught after law enforcement received a tip about possible child pornography on an external hard drive belonging to Brooks. A search of his devices and online accounts revealed the extent of his depraved actions.
Brooks pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was also ordered to pay $237,000 in restitution and serve 10 years of supervised release after his prison term.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited the FBI’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force and the FBI’s San Francisco field office for their role in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin represented the government in the case.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting our children. As a society, we must remain committed to bringing these perpetrators to justice and ensuring that they face the full force of the law.
Brooks’ crimes are a stark reminder that even those in positions of trust can commit such heinous acts. His sentence is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors in holding accountable those who seek to harm our children.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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