Former rabbi admits having child pornography

TRENTON, NEW JERSERY - The former rabbi of a Morris County synagogue pleaded guilty Tuesday to having child pornography on his temple computer.<br> <br> Juda Mintz Jr., who now lives in Georgia, faces 27 to 33 months in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He remains free on $100,000 bond pending sentencing June 12 by U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper. <br> <br> Cooper barred Mintz from having a computer with Internet access in his home. She also ordered him to continue mental health treatment and have no contact with minors unless another adult is present. <br> <br> Mintz, 59, of Dunwoody, northeast of Atlanta, was rabbi for about 18 months at the Mount Freedom Jewish Center in Randolph before leaving in September 2000, Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna A. Krappa said. <br> <br> Mintz admitted that at that time he had at least 10 computer files containing photographs of minors engaging in sexual activity, including some images of children under 12. <br> <br> The synagogue&#39;s vice president, Jonathan Ramsfelder, did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday. <br> <br> Mintz will never serve as a rabbi again, and is now working as a clerk in a convenience store, said his lawyer, Lawrence S. Lustberg. <br> <br> ``He is extremely remorseful about what he did. It has cost him his whole career. But it has led him to a very intensive program of counseling and rehabilitation that will prevent this from ever happening again,&#39;&#39; Lustberg said. <br> <br> ``He never improperly touched a kid or adult. He is not a sexual predator,&#39;&#39; Lustberg said. He said Mintz only viewed the pictures, but never sent them to others. <br> <br> It is not clear if Mintz would face any sanction from religious authorities.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/2/198268