new Jersey man arrested on child pornography, exploitation charges

Posted 9/30/09

Elliot Halberstam, 38 of Bergenfield, NJ, was arrested on November 13, and charged in a criminal complaint with three counts stemming from his sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor and his …

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new Jersey man arrested on child pornography, exploitation charges

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Elliot Halberstam, 38 of Bergenfield, NJ, was arrested on November 13, and charged in a criminal complaint with three counts stemming from his sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor and his receipt of child pornography.

Beginning in March 2015, Halberstam, a child therapist, coerced and enticed a 16-year-old boy who was a former patient of his (“Victim-1”) to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and received images and videos constituting child pornography from Victim-1. To do so, Halberstam groomed Victim-1 through numerous e-mail and text messages, including by posing as another individual to entice Victim-1 to produce and send child pornography to him.

Halberstam is charged with one count of coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; one count of sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and one count of receipt of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Elliot Halberstam is charged with violating the trust of his former patient, a 16-year old boy, in the worst way imaginable—he allegedly coerced and tricked the victim into engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and captured it on video and in photographs. Together with our partners at the FBI, we are dedicated to ensuring that those who sexually exploit children are held to account.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriquez said: “As alleged, Halberstam violated the trust of a minor who was a former patient of his in counseling, by coercing the victim to engage in sexual activity with him and film it. The FBI will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who sexually exploit our children.”

There may be more victims of this alleged conduct. Any individuals who believe they have information concerning Elliot Halberstam that may be relevant to the investigation should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-212-384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the FBI in this investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Beaty is in charge of the prosecution.

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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