New Jersey Councilman and Son Placed on House Arrest Ahead of Child Pornography Trial

A police officer puts do not cross tape on barricades in a file photo. Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images

A New Jersey councilman and his son, both of whom are also school teachers, have been released from jail and are now on house arrest after police discovered thousands of images of child pornography in their shared home.

Jeffrey Grossman, 65, and Steven Grossman, 24, appeared in the state Superior Court in Hackensack on Oct. 19 where they were sentenced to house arrest while they await separate trials on charges of second-degree possession of child pornography, North Jersey.com reports.

Judge David Labib handed down the house arrest sentences despite objections from prosecutors who argued their home is located less than 500 feet from an elementary school, according to the publication.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the older Grossman was arrested on Oct. 12 following an internet child sexual abuse material investigation conducted under the direction of Chief Jason Love.

Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the residence Mr. Grossman shares with his son and found that the father—who currently serves as the Tenafly Borough Council president—used the internet to view, download, and possess items depicting “nude and/or sexually explicit prepubescent and pubescent children.”

Mr. Grossman was subsequently arrested, charged, and remanded in the Bergen County Jail pending his first hearing on the matter, officials said.

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office did not mention the arrest of the younger Grossman, however, he also appeared in court Thursday for a detention hearing before Judge David Labib.

School Suspends Father and Son

Prosecutors during Thursday’s hearing said they had discovered more than 1,000 depictions of child sexual abuse of boys generally between the ages of 10 and 13 in a Dropbox used by the younger Grossman, and over 17,500 depictions of younger prepubescent girls on the older Grossman’s devices, according to North Jersey.com.

Jeffrey Grossman’s wife told the publication it is a “very difficult time for our family.”

“Please understand we are trying to manage as best we can. I am happy to say I love my husband, I love my son, and we are going to support one another,” she said.

Both Grossmans worked at the Rochelle Park School District, The New Jersey Globe reports. According to the publication, the older Grossman is a middle school social studies teacher while the younger son is a substitute teacher.

They have since been suspended from their roles and have also been banned from entering the school for any reason, school officials said in a letter to parents and school community members on Oct. 12.

Both are also prohibited from contacting any student or staff, according to the letter (pdf), which was signed off by the school district’s superintendent Dr. Sue DeNobile.

‘Shocked and Appalled’

“The district is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our students,” the letter reads. “The administration and school counselors are prepared to provide support to any student or family who may need assistance as a result of this information.”

“As media attention is given to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s media release you may wish to consider talking with your child(ren) about internet safety, media postings, and personal safety. As a school district, we will not be initiating discussions about this situation in school. However, please communicate with your child(ren) that they should feel comfortable expressing their concerns to a trusted adult on an individual basis and a school-based resource will be available to them,” the letter concluded.

Mr. Grossman, a Democrat, is also on the ballot next month as a candidate for a third term, according to reports.

However, he is now facing widespread calls to resign.

“We are shocked and appalled by the disturbing charges against Tenafly Council President Jeffrey Grossman,” said State Sen. Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood), Assemblywomen Shama Haider (D-Tenafly) and Ellen Park (D-Englewood Cliffs) in a statement. “Due to the serious nature of these allegations, it is in the best interest of Tenafly residents that Mr. Grossman immediately resign his position on the council.”

Separately, Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna said in an Oct.19 statement to the New York Daily News that he was “shocked” to learn of the arrest of the borough council president.

“I think it is in the best interest of the borough that Mr. Grossman step down in order for the people’s business to continue uninterrupted, and without distraction,” he added.

The Epoch Times has contacted lawyers for Jeffrey Grossman and Steven Grossman for further comment.