Earlier today, Renee Hoberman, a licensed social worker from Long Island, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip. Hoberman faces a minimum sentence of five years and could be imprisoned for up to 20 years.
The announcement of the guilty plea was made by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York; and Patrick Ryder, Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department.
United States Attorney Nocella stated, “The defendant, a licensed social worker, admitted to distributing extremely vile and unthinkable videos depicting the horrific sexual abuse of babies. The videos the defendant distributed and sought for her own perverse pleasure showed the most innocent members of our society being restrained and violently raped.” He further emphasized that such crimes should outrage society and committed his office to pursue those who harm children relentlessly.
Hoberman’s activities included using encrypted social media messaging applications to upload, receive, and trade digital videos depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct. Court records reveal that she engaged in online chats concerning child molestation while posing as a father who abused his children.
During this period, Hoberman worked as a therapist with an organization serving children up to age 17 in Melville, New York. Her prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaitlin McTague from the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division with support from Paralegal Specialist Janelle Robinson.
Authorities urge anyone with information about sexual exploitation by Hoberman to contact HSI’s tip line or website.
RENEE HOBERMAN (also known as “Rina”)
Age: 37
Plainview, Long Island
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-463 (JS)
