Ex-NJ Teacher Imprisoned For Soliciting Teen Sex Photos

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A former elementary school teacher and soccer club coach has been sentenced to prison, after admitting he used a fake persona online to solicit sexual images and videos from dozens of minors.

Last April, 37-year-old Steven Brooks of Morristown pleaded guilty to federal charges of possessing and producing child pornography, and officials said he acknowledged soliciting almost 80 victims.

He was an elementary school teacher for Summit Public Schools and helped run a youth soccer club at the time of his arrest, according to past Patch reporting. The soccer club was in Livingston, TAPinto reported at the time.

Brooks was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Thursday and will be on probation for 10 years after his release, said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Prosecutors said authorities first received a tip in January 2021 about possible child pornography files on Brooks' external hard drive.

Through electronic devices and social media accounts, which were obtained using court-authorized search warrants, officials say they discovered how Brooks used the online alias of a woman on social media platforms to solicit photos and videos of dozens of minors engaging in sexual activity.

"Brooks acknowledged, as relevant conduct, the attempted online enticement, production and possession of child pornography involving at least 79 victims." Sellinger said.

U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti sentenced Brooks to 204 months in prison as well as 10 years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $237,000 in restitution, officials said.