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Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center

By Aidan Johnson

The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack held its annual Family Fun Fall Festival Sunday, Oct. 15. Despite unrealized concerns of bad weather pushing the event indoors, many families still enjoyed the day’s activities, including pumpkin decorating, a miniature petting zoo and face painting.

“The Jewish community is going through a very tough time with what’s going on in Israel … and it’s our necessity to get people together and make sure nobody is suffering in silence, bringing them here, letting them have some fun, maybe do some shopping,” said Rick Lewis, CEO of the SYJCC.

Throughout the day, the SYJCC also gathered supplies to send to those in need in Israel.

Evidence of Long Island crimes found after Florida resident was arrested for pornographic material

Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini (D) announced a former Commack resident and babysitter has been extradited from Florida and charged with 27 counts of alleged sex crimes against three young children who were in his care in Suffolk County between 2009 and 2014.

Suffolk County Police Department has been working in cooperation with Florida’s state attorney’s office since 2014 to bring Benjamin Fielman, 27, back to Long Island to face criminal charges for his alleged actions. Fielman was arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip March 9. Fielman is currently serving a 10-year sentence in Florida, where he is registered as a sexual predator, after pleading guilty to felony sex crimes involving children in June 2017.

Benjamin Fielman mugshot. Photo from SCPD

“These crimes are atrocious,” Sini said. .“This individual used the trust that was given to him by families in Suffolk County to carry out these depraved acts against children, our most vulnerable population.”

Fielman worked as am assistant teacher at Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack for four years (2008-2011) and as a babysitter, not related to any service or agency. During this time, the district attorney said allegedly Fielman sexually abused three unrelated boys ranging in age from 7 to 11 and was allegedly taking sexually explicit photos and videos.

Florida state authorities executed a search warrant on the suspect’s home after he was arrested in 2014, according to Sini, where they found evidence of Fielman allegedly engaging in sexual contact with minors. He was also in possession of child pornography. Authorities determined  the materials originated in Suffolk County. Florida authorities contacted the Suffolk County Police Department’s computer crimes unit, which investigated the origin of the images and videos through the files’ metadata and was able to identify the victims.

“We have serious concern that there are more victims,” District Attorney Sini said. “It’s very important that we not only take this individual off the streets so he cannot pose a danger to children moving forward, but also that we send a clear message that law enforcement from all jurisdictions is working together to bring people like this to justice.”

The district attorney’ office said it has been in touch with the community recreation center and they have been cooperating with the active investigation.

Fielman was indicted by a Suffolk County Grand Jury on May 22, 2015 on two counts of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child; two counts of second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child; 11 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child; 11 counts of using a child in a sexual performance; and endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded without bail to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

The district attorney said the case remains an ongoing investigation under Suffolk’s Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau. Anyone with information about the defendant or potential victims are encouraged to contact law enforcement at 631-852-6279. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS (8477).