By Alex Christodoulides
Bradley Dieffenbacher, 32, of Levittown, L.I., was arraigned on one count of use of a child in a sexual performance, three counts of attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child and eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, the DA said. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison, the DA said.Dieffenbacher was ordered held on $150,000 bail and told to return to court March 10.According to the criminal charges filed with the DA's office, Dieffenbacher sent messages via the Internet at various times between April 1, 2007, and Feb. 20 to eight boys who are or were students in his math class.During these conversations, Dieffenbacher allegedly asked the students individually if they masturbated, liked pornography, had a Web camera and could masturbate together and watch each other over the Web cameras, according to the charges. Afterward, Dieffenbacher allegedly sent six of the eight students links to various Internet porn sites, according to the charges.Dieffenbacher was investigated by the special commissioner of investigation for the New York City School District, which said he resigned from his position at Russell Sage Feb. 14 after questioning. According to comments left on Dieffenbacher's MySpace page by some of his students asking where he was, why he was not in school and when he would be coming back, the children were not told the reason for his absence or that he would not be returning to school.”The charges are very disturbing. A teacher is accused of preying on the young students he is entrusted to teach. A classroom should always be a safe place for a child. If true, this teacher destroyed his students' trust,” Brown said. “This case should serve as a clear and unmistakable warning that law enforcement is prepared to apprehend and prosecute sexual predators who betray and defile youngsters.”Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at achristodoulides@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
