New Jersey Child Therapist Charged With Sexual Exploitation Of Former Patient
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A therapist in New Jersey is accused of sexually exploiting a 16-year-old former patient.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said 38-year-old Elliot Halberstam violated the trust of his former patient in the "worst way imaginable.''
Halberstam, of Bergenfield, was arrested Tuesday on charges he coerced and tricked the boy to take sexually explicit photos and videos of himself.
Prosecutors allege Halberstam groomed the victim through numerous emails and text messages.
Halberstam faces charges of coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography, and has been ordered held without bail.
If convicted of the top charge, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The prosecutors office said there may be more victims in the case, and urged anyone who may have information relevant to their investigation to contact the FBI at 1-212-384-1000 or FBI Tips.
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