Authorities charged child therapist Elliot Halberstam of Bergenfield with enticing a 16-year-old former patient to take sexually explicit photos and videos of himself, using a sham email account of a another fictitious participant as part of his efforts to coerce the boy.
NEW YORK-- A New Jersey child therapist was arrested Tuesday on charges of sexually exploiting a 16-year-old former patient.
Elliot Halberstam, 38, of Bergenfield was accused of enticing the boy to take sexually explicit photos and videos of himself.
"Elliot Halberstam is charged with violating the trust of his former patient, a 16-year old boy, in the worst way imaginable--he allegedly coerced and tricked the victim into engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and captured it on video and in photographs, said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
SEE ALSO: Rutgers professor seeks dismissal of her sex assault conviction
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York, Halberstam "groomed" the victim through numerous email and text messages, including posing as another individual to encourage him to produce and send child pornography to Halberstam, as well as allowing the therapist to photograph him. Prosecutors said he used a sham email account as part of his effort to coerce the boy.
Some of those photos were taken earlier this year in Halberstam's office in Englewood, as well as hotel rooms, said the FBI.
Halbertam was charged with one count of coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity; one count of sexual exploitation of a child; and one count of receipt of child pornography. If convicted, he faces possible life in prison.
FBI officials said there may be more victims and asked anyone with information concerning Halberstam to contact the New York FBI office at 1-212-384-1000.
Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
