Prosecutors: Rabbi posed as teen girls to solicit nude photos from 14-year-old boy online

A rabbi/school administrator at SAR Academy in Riverdale is facing charges of child pornography.

News 12 Staff

Sep 17, 2019, 9:00 PM

Updated 1,686 days ago

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A rabbi/school administrator at SAR Academy in Riverdale is facing charges of child pornography.
According to a criminal complaint, federal prosecutors allege that Rabbi Jonathan Skolnick posed as teen girls to solicit nude and inappropriate photos from a 14-year-old boy online.
Authorities say Skolnick also sent threatening text messages to the 14-year-old over a period of six months to get the victim to comply.
SAR Academy is urging anyone in the school community believed to be a victim to come forward. The school also informed parents that Skolnick has been fired and is cooperating with the FBI.
The rabbi was also an employee at the Yeshiva of Flatbush High School from 2012 to 2018. In a letter to parents, the high school says it's unaware of any inappropriate behavior during the rabbi's employment there. However, the high school is urging anyone with information to contact authorities.
Skolnick is charged with three counts of child pornography. The school held a parents meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday to discuss the matter.


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