Judge releases father, son accused of child pornography charges ahead of trial
Jeffrey Grossman and his son Steven Grossman are accused of downloading more than 15,000 photos and videos of child pornography.
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A father and his adult son who are accused of downloading thousands of images of child sex abuse have been released from jail ahead of their trial.
Jeffrey Grossman and his son Steven Grossman both worked at the Rochelle Park School District. Jeffrey Grossman is also the Tenafly Borough Council president. The duo is accused of downloading more than 15,000 photos and videos of child pornography.
Jeffrey Grossman, still in handcuffs, listened as his defense attorney Samuel Braverman argued why he should be released to home confinement.
"There's no evidence of any production of this material - at all. And if that is true, on the original charge of intent to distribute, the government would send me a letter that says - by the way you're entitled to know this under the constitution - your client is missing an element on which he was originally charged,” Braverman said.
Meanwhile, assistant prosecutor Gary Donatello attempted to convince Judge David Labib that Jeffrey posed a threat to the community.
MORE: 2 teachers, father and son, suspended for child porn accusations in Rochelle Park, officials say
“Jeffrey Grossman has possessed this child sex abuse material for the past seven years. All of that time he's been a public school teacher - all of that time he's been charged with the safety and care of children,” Donatello said.
Steven Grossman's detention hearing immediately followed his father's. In both cases, the judge ruled they would be freed from jail. However, they were ordered to stay inside their Tenafly home as they await their next appearance on Nov. 30.
Since their arrests, the Grossmans were suspended from teaching in the district. The mayor of Tenafly called for Jeffrey Grossman’s resignation as council president.
If convicted, they both face five to 10 years in jail.
