Man Who Coached At Livingston HS Produced Child Porn: Prosecutors

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A Morris County man who recently served as a volunteer coach at Livingston High School has been accused of child pornography offenses, authorities said.

On Tuesday, Steven Brooks, 34, of Morristown, was charged with producing, possessing and mailing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Brooks was employed in the Summit Public School District at the time of his arrest. He has since been placed on administrative leave. The FBI told officials the incidents surrounding the allegations didn't happen on school property or involve students.

Brooks also recently served as a volunteer fall coach at Livingston High School, and years ago, was employed in Livingston as a teacher and an instructional aide, officials said.

Federal prosecutors released the following allegations on Tuesday:

“In January 2021, law enforcement officers were notified about possible child pornography on an external hard drive belonging to Brooks. Law enforcement officers conducted a legally authorized search of Brooks’ external hard drive. The investigation revealed that Brooks used a fake online persona on a social media account to solicit nude photos and videos from teenage victims. A video file on Brooks’ external hard drive showed the fake online persona that Brooks created using a social media platform to communicate with a minor and to solicit the minor to send a video that depicted the minor masturbating. There were dozens of other images of child sexual abuse.”

Prosecutors said the production of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The mailing of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. Each charge also includes a maximum fine of $250,000.

Livingston Superintendent Matthew Block sent a letter to the school community about the charges facing Brooks, noting that the district has “little information to date.”

Block wrote:

“This afternoon, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notified the district that Mr. Steven Brooks, who most recently served as a volunteer fall coach at Livingston High School (LHS), and who years ago was employed by the district as a teacher and an instructional aide, was arrested this morning and was charged with criminal offenses related to child pornography.

“The district has been provided with very limited information as the matter is currently the subject of an on-going investigation. The district is fully cooperating with the FBI. Since being notified, the district has taken every precaution to ensure that this individual has no access to our facilities or technology. We have also been in contact with the Office of Student Protection, of the New Jersey Department of Education.

“The safety and welfare of our students is of utmost concern. Our district’s hiring practices are in accordance with state law and district policies. All employees undergo extensive background checks, including fingerprinting, before their employment.

“Counseling services are available through the LHS guidance office. We encourage students impacted by this news to reach out for their counselors for support, as necessary.

“Please understand that we have little information to date. Should you have any questions or believe you have information related to this investigation, please contact Lisa Steiger, assistant superintendent at 973-535-8000, ext. 8032, or via email at lsteiger@livingston.org. She will do her best to respond to your concern or direct your question and information to the appropriate law enforcement agent.”

Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Livingston Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com