New Details Emerge In Case Of LI Dance Instructor Accused Of Sex Exploitation

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A Centereach dance teacher has been ordered held in detention pending a federal charge of sexual exploitation of a minor that was filed in connection with allegations he enticed his two teen students to take part in sexual conduct over iMessage and FaceTime, court documents show.

Thirty-year-old Jordan Viscomi, arrested two weeks ago after police said he engaged in sexual chats with a 15-and a 16-year-old, was called a "significant danger to the community" and a "flight risk" by the federal prosecutor representing the government's case.

In a request for permanent detention, a federal prosecutor said Viscomi was charged with "one of the most serious federal crimes," making reference to the charge of sexual exploitation of a child, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

"Instead of caring for and nurturing the students in his dance community, the defendant — who these students considered a role model — engaged in a pattern of disturbingly abusive behavior," wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Farrell in her letter requesting the detention in response to his defense attorneys' bail package request.

A federal judge ruled he was not a flight risk, but ordered Viscomi's detainment continue pending the outcome of his case, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office said.

His order for detention states that there is "clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community."

Other reasons include that the case against Viscomi is strong and that there would be a lengthy period of incarceration if he is convicted, according to the order.

In a redacted affidavit unsealed in court last week, a member of the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force member describes how Viscomi, who taught the students and socialized with them at other events, engaged them in the chats.

In iMessages, Viscomi, who was in regular contact over text with the girls, described his relationship with them as being in love and used emojis — a man and two childlike females — in the chats, according to an affidavit by Suffolk police Det. Janine Musmacker.

Musmacker wrote that the investigation into Viscomi was prompted by the father of the 15-year-old student, who suspected the sexual relationship.

In their statements, the girls described having a "highly sexual" group chat over iMessage and FaceTime on April 7 while the two were at one's home, Musmacker said, adding that a review of one of the girl's devices showed a call after midnight.

Musmacker said that during the first video call, Viscomi showed the girls a photo of his genitalia and invited the pair to play "show and tell," but they only removed clothing, and nothing "lascivious" took place.

She said the electronic evidence is consistent with the girls' statements, as leading up to the call Viscomi asked them when the relationship would become "like, real," adding, "we keep it a secret from [] ... & the rest of the world & secretly we are lovers?"

This text was followed by "the emoji of one adult male with two child-like females," along with “#jail," according to Musmacker.

He also suggested one of the girls strip, but then changed his mind and asked that they just hug, but asked them to "lower the camera," Musmacker said.

After the call, Viscomi sent numerous messages saying he was "falling in love" and in a relationship, and repeatedly told the girls to delete the chats, Musmacker said.

At around 1 p.m. the next day, Viscomi had a long conversation about how their relationship was progressing, and they had another FaceTime call in which Viscomi performed a sex act on himself, the according to the affidavit.

A review of the 15-year-old's phone, revealed she had a live photo from 3:15 a.m. on April 9, Musmacker said.

In following messages, Viscomi told them to make sure they deleted the "accidental screenshot," and in the same conversation, the girls referred to him as "daddy," while he told them that he loved them and used the same adult male and childlike female emojis he had used before, according to Musmacker.

She goes on to say that subsequent chats contain "numerous references to the sexually explicit conduct" in which the girls engaged in the third video call.

There is probable cause to believe Viscomi "persuaded, induced, and enticed" the minors "to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of transmitting visual depiction of themselves engaged in such conduct, which conduct was actually livestreamed via at least three Facetime video calls," Musmacker wrote.

In her letter to the court, Farrell recounted some of the accusations lodged against Viscomi, saying that he should be "prevented from continuing to engage in such conduct, on the internet or in person."

"He poses a significant danger to the community if released pending trial, and no combination of bail conditions will ensure the safety of the community and the defendant’s continued appearance before the court," she wrote.

Viscomi remained in the custody of the Suffolk County Sheriff's office at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility as of Thursday.

His attorney, Steven Politi of Central Islip, denies the allegations against his client and noted he had not been provided with any evidence in the case.

In a text, he said he and Viscomi "await the evidence that the government believes is important to proving their case against him."

"When all the facts are heard we believe the picture that has been painted by both the state and federal prosecutors will look far different than is currently being suggested," he wrote.

"Jordan has been an instructor for over 18 years and has worked with many dancers, male and female, without incident," he said. "[Jordan] has an impeccable past despite the government actively seeking more potential complainants, through various media outlets, not a single one has come forward."

"Jordan has the full support of his family, friends, and the community," he said. "He is loved by many people and that fact is not in dispute."

Politi described Viscomi, an accomplished dancer who has appeared on Broadway and was a backup dancer in some pop acts, as someone who has had his career tarnished by his arrest.

Viscomi is alleged to have met the pair at David Sanders Dance Dynamics in Oakdale, a studio that is a part of a chain with locations in Ronkonkoma, East Islip, and North Babylon.

After Viscomi's arrest, studio owner David Sanders told Patch, "the safety of our students and the dance community at large is a top priority to us."

"We have policies in place that speak specifically to conduct and behavior with students," he added.

Sanders said that when "apprised of possible misconduct a few weeks ago" the studio's management "immediately suspended" Viscomi’s employment pending further investigation."

"We do take matters like this very seriously," he said. "Although the allegations did not occur on my premises or at any of our events, they are extremely troubling, nonetheless. It is now up to our court system to sort out justice."

He could not be reached for comment.