Morristown Man, NJ Teacher Charged With Producing Child Porn

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown man and Summit teacher was charged in connection with producing, possessing and mailing child pornography, federal authorities announced Tuesday.

Summit Public Schools placed Steven Brooks, 34, on administrative leave, Superintendent Scott D. Hough said in a statement Tuesday. The FBI told officials the incidents surrounding the allegatations didn't happen on school property or involve students.

"As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to, under the law, share further information," Hough said.

Law enforcement learned of possible child pornography on Brooks's external hard drive in January, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig. Authorities searched his hard drive and discovered he used a fake online persona to solicit nude photos and videos from teenagers, according to Honig.

A video file from October 2019 shows the fake persona communicating on social media with a minor, according to authorities. Brooks solicited the minor to send a video of them masturbating, according to Honig Law enforcement said they found dozens of other images of child sexual abuse.

Another image showed a minor standing in the bathroom taking "selfies" with a t-shirt and no pants, according to the federal complaint, which lists four victims.

Brooks also helps run a youth soccer club, but federal authorities didn't clarify which.

Summit schools hired Brooks to work at Washington Elementary School in 2017, according to their website. Brooks appeared on NJTV in April to teach a math lesson in conjunction with the New Jersey Education Association and New Jersey Department of Education.

If convicted, production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. A conviction for mailing child pornography carries five to 20 years in prison, while possession includes a maximum sentence of 10 years. Each charge also includes a $250,000 fine.

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