(02/13/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Jason Berman, 34, a social studies teacher at Half Hollow Hills West High School in Dix Hills, New York has been arrested and charged on allegations of having sex with a 15-year-old boy.
Reportedly Berman has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of sexual performance of a child. The latter charge owing to Suffolk computer crime detectives allegedly finding child pornography on Berman’s home computer during their investigation.
Police say that the alleged victim is not a student in the district where Berman works and that Berman and the boy met via a chat room on a gay mens’ web site.
It is alleged that Berman picked up the teen from his home on January 31st and took him to Berman’s home. It is further alleged that the two had sex while at Berman’s home.
Berman came to the attention of police when the boy told a high school counselor about the encounter and police were notified.
02/14/09 – Court Appearance
Today, Jason Berman made an initial court appearance for arraignment and pleaded not guilty to charges arising from allegations that he had sex with a 15-year-old boy he met in an online chat room.
Bail for Berman was set in the amount of $35,000 cash or $70,000 bond and he was released Saturday afternoon.
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I was his student for two classes last year, and I can honestly say we were all blindsided by the whole thing. Even seniors who had known him for four years were completely shocked, as well as the hockey team he coached. If/when anyone finds out when he is sentenced, could you please let me know? I have a funny feeling our school district is trying to keep any further information out of the local papers, as there hasn’t been any information since the arrest.
Berman will be sentenced on Jan 21 in Suffolk County, NY and is facing 20 years in jail. Rumor has it that he pleaded guilty and negotiated a sentence of 5-7 years.
Sexual predators are not well liked in jail so I hope that Berman finds a “boss man” who he can exchange favors.
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Case Details – Charges
Case Information
Court Suffolk County Court – Criminal Term
Case # 00737-2009
Defendant Berman, Jason A Charge Detail Disposition/Sentence
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 2
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 3
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 130.40 01 E Felony, 2 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Crim Sex Act-3:incapbl Consent
Indictment Count 9
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 235.22 00
**TOP CHARGE** D Felony, 1 count, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Indecent Material To Minors-1
Indictment Count 1
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 5
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 7
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 130.40 01 E Felony, 2 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Crim Sex Act-3:incapbl Consent
Indictment Count 10
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 8
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 6
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 263.16 00 E Felony, 7 counts, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Poss Sexual Perform By Child
Indictment Count 4
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
PL 260.10 01 A Misdemeanor, 1 count, Not an arrest charge, Not an arraignment charge
Description Act Manr Injur Child < 17
Indictment Count 11
Date Added 04/03/2009 Pled Guilty
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Well all of you stubborn naive people of the Hills community who adamantly assured us he was innocent – “the Berman I know would never do this” type defenders etc. – now can all eat their words after this guilty plea. Oh maybe his brother loaded the 1500 child porn images on his computer? Maybe the child porn phantom did it? Maybe the kid made the whole thing up? Kids do lie ya know? Sorry, nice try, come again.
Then there’s those of you who blamed the kid – “oh he held himself out to be older, how would Berman know how old he was?” Nope not even close. He knew, he admitted, he will pay.
I recognize there are worse criminals out there in the world and that Berman did not physically injure anyone etc., but guys like Berman are dangerous b/c they use their authority/age to manipulate children. Imagine if it were your younger brother, cousin, nephew, son who Berman did this to? He has a disease, and could probably not help himself, and hopefully he will get the help he needs. But for now, no more defending Berman. CASE CLOSED.
On Nov 23, Berman pled GUILTY to all 9 Felonies and will face jail time at his sentencing on Jan 21, 2010.
Word is that he will be going away for 3-6 years. You can view this info on http://www.webcrims.com (a public NY Court web site).
For all of the former students and friends that supported Berman, I guess you didnt have all of the facts.
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In response to formerbermanstudent, how did you find out the police did not have a warrant, which is what I think you meant? Also, if the accuser said he was 18 but is actually younger, then Berman did in fact have an inappropriate encounter with a minor. The law does not protect someone having sex with a minor because the minor says he/she is older. Based on what you are saying, it sounds like the police had a valid case but blew it because they failed to obtain a search warrant. Therefore, the case was dropped on a legal technicality, not because Berman was found innocent. I knew Jason as a colleague and I can attest to his talent as a teacher, however, there is a fine line between being a friendly teacher and being a friend. The latter is inappropriate and unprofessional. It is unfortunate and hopefully he has and will continue to reflect on his professionalism.
Jason Berman was not charged with this crime. The charges were dropped because the police did not have a permit to search his apartment. The evidence they found is now invalid. Also the accuser admitted to pretending to be 18 years of age. Unfortunately, because of this stupid kid, a man with a talent for teaching lost his jobs as a teacher, club advisor and coach. I hope it was worth it to him and he got the attention he wanted. It is a shame jason probably needs to go to another state to teach. He does not need to register as a sex offender but the prestigious, elitist and rich Half Hollow Hills community would never allow him back.
listen i had him as a teacher,you people just need to back off…i’m not defending him by any means, i just know that it was tough for everyone and the students were effected and frankly no one knows what really happened, so just back off.
What is happening with this case?? Anyone know??
though its been 6 months since this happen… i just found out about it… when i decided to look for him on FB. a whole year.. we went out last year and well i do remember his bizarre behaviors and though he was a great person cuz i can prove it. this doesn’t come to a surprise given that he told me he had done with underage kids in the past. i just think it was foolish of him to had underestimated this kid’s lie about his age. and i was gonna ask him if he wanted to go out with me to the Davids Matthew Band concert at jones beach… thats his fav band.
has anyone else come forward?
Does anyone know what happened with the June 14th court date?