I thought his videotaping himself going to the john-twice-and then posting it on the internet was clue enough that the guy was more than a little off.

In that old video he looks like he's setting a trap to lure in kiddies. A grown man playing with Legos? Parents gotta get a clue.

LINK TO STORY

From today's JJ:

A Jersey City LEGO "master" has been sentenced to the maximum prison term possible under his plea deal for molesting children while leading a LEGOs afterschool activity at two schools, one in Hoboken and the other in Jersey City, officials said.

"This type of offense affects the child the rest of their lives," said Hudson County Superior Court Judge Lisa Rose before sentencing Eric Sophie, 42, of Newport Parkway, to seven years in prison with no chance of parole until after serving nearly six years.

Rose went on to say that the victims, a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old girl, will "never forget is something that will always be with them."

Sophie was arrested in November 2010 and later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault for touching one child's chest and the other child's crotch, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Jane Weiner said. He also pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography , Weiner said.

The prosecutor said the incidents occurred at Ethical Community Charter School in Jersey City and Hoboken Charter School in Hoboken, where Sophie ran afterschool LEGOs programs for children.

The mother of one victim spoke emotionally at the hearing and she trembled and took deep breaths for some time before being able to express a message of hope to Sophie.

"I used to be very angry with Mr. Sophie (but now) I feel sorry for him," said the mother. "I can't imagine what happened to him to make him do what he did, (but) I do believe he can change."

The mother went on to say "Even if he serves his whole sentence and treatment and is released and repeats this conduct, it will never change that God loves him. ... We believe he can change and we ask that you think about God's love for you and you can change."

Before being sentenced, Sophie said he was sorry to his victims, family and friends.

"I admit that I do have a problem and I am interested in addressing it," said Sophie, adding that he believes he has "a lot to offer."

Sophie, who called himself "Legomaster" on his MySpace.com page, ran an after-school program at Ethical Community Charter School on Broadway in Jersey City.

Sophie's intricate, complex and often large LEGO creations have been exhibited in Liberty State Park, on the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, on the "Good Day, New York" television program and numerous other venues.

Sophie has been diagnosed at a repetitive and compulsive sex offender and that mean he can be held even after serving his prison term if he is still deemed to be a danger to the public. He must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and he faces parole supervision for the rest of his life after being released.

He has been in the Hudson County jail in Kearny since his arrest.

LEGO 'master' who preyed on young girls from after-school program to be sentenced tomorrow

Thursday, September 27, 2012, 8:16 PM
By Anthony J. Machcinski/The Jersey Journal

A Jersey City LEGO "master" faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced tomorrow after having pleaded guilty to molesting children while leading a LEGOs after school activity in more than one Hudson County school, officials said.

Eric Sophie, 42, of Newport Parkway, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of endangering a minor and will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Lisa Rose in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.

Sophie was first arrested in November 2010 and charged with molesting two 5-year-old girls and an 8-year-old girl, officials said. A short time later he was charged in a fourth incident, officials said. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Jane Weiner said Sophie has been in the Hudson County jail in Kearny since his arrest.

Sophie, who called himself "Legomaster" on his MySpace.com page, ran an after-school program at Ethical Community Charter School on Broadway in Jersey City.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor John Mulkeen said at the time of Sophie's arrest that the charges stemmed from incidents in Jersey City and Hoboken.

Sophie's intricate, complex and often large LEGO creations have been exhibited in Liberty State Park, on the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, on the "Good Day, New York" television program and numerous other venues.

Sophie faces up to seven years on each of the sexual assault charges and the sentences will run concurrently, but he will have to serve nearly six years before becoming eligible for parole, Weiner said. He faces 18 months on the endangering charge, but that too will run concurrent to the other terms.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... r_who_preyed_on_youn.html

From speaking to a parent who's kid actually did the afterschool program with the lego teacher, I understood that she was very pleased how the school handled the situation. I do know that the guy was removed immediately and the police were notified. I am not sure if they are planning to change their policy so that 2 adults must be present at all times in the classroom. That is something I am interested in knowing especially for afterschool programs however I am aware that TECCS is underfunded.

FWIW, I found the principal of TECCS to be extremely approachable and personable. When I attended the open house she had kids just walking into her office to say goodbye or tell her something and she treated them all warmly and with respect. If my son is accepted to TECCS, that is where he will go.

Here is what his Lego community is saying. They make JC List hysterics look tame.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/lego/discuss/72157625207232059/

Quote:

I agree with Dan. TECCS is a good school, championed by local parents who worked extremely hard for the charter to be put into place. I would send my children to this school.

In the case of this incident (which is horrible if it is true), this instructor was widely known and used in several schools throughout our area. Many times, perpertrators like this are not known until they are caught (unfortunately). Also, these predators work in packs, they are known to other predators, and have pretty intricate networks. Likely, authorities are trying to uncover the suspect's network of contacts (again, if this story is correct). (Remember the "Santa Claus" in Union City and what they discovered after his arrest?)

Dan is correct in asking, how did the school handle the incident? Were parents notified immediately? Were authorities notified? Was counseling available to the victims? Was the line of communication open and honest? What improvements have been made, if need be (kids alone with an instructor, cameras in the classroom, etc?)

If you're concerned about the school - call them and ask them specifically about the incident. Do they speak with you candidly and openly? Build your comfort level with facts.

I think this is a good opportunity for parents to be vigilient about asking questions of their kid's afterschool program organizers. Find out who is teaching them, what background checks have been done (ask to see the checks), are instructors licensed and professionally credentialed (like coaches, for example). Ask to see actual copies of the licenses or call the licensing agency to verify. Are instructors left alone with children at any time, do they drive them anywhere (like many coaches do). And drop in from time to time if you cannot stay near.

as a concerned parent, I would be looking at how a school handled an incident or responded to knowledge of charges and communicating such with parents.

TECCS is a school that I would not hesistate sending my children to - both in the past and unless the school severly mishandled this situation, in the future.

obviously, this is only my opinion and parents need to be comfortable with their child's school.

I am curious to know if there are any updates regarding these allegations. The TECCS admissions lottery is scheduled to occur on January 19, 2011. The disposition of this case will help concerned parents make in informed decision on their child?s entry into this school.

Does anyone know how I go about looking up the court case and following it?

I remember reading in the news sometime around 1987/88 a woman who ran a nursery school in Belleville, NJ had been arrested on allegations of child molestation. Originally, only one student made an allegation and other students also made allegations. Eventually, the first allegation was recanted and the rest of the students followed. Apparently the charges were fabricated. I'm not suggestions a parent shouldn't be concerned when these allegations are made. But one must be mindful that these are still only charges.

Just wondering if there have been any updates on this story. It seems to have quietly gone off of the radar screens of the city.

Does this suspected ass-wipe have a history of this behavior and what was the screening process to allow him to work with kids.

If found guilty, I would sue everyone (if I had a kid abused)involved with his appointmnet and any governing body / official that oversee's these types of programs

I am not interested in destroying anyone's life.
And I know there are always exceptions, such as the McMartin story. Hence why I stated "highly doubt".
I very much hope this man did not do what he is being accused of.

Quote:

Quote:

tell that to the McMartins.

McMartin Preschool Trial

and of course, while the investigation is underway, keep this man away from children. arrest him. follow the law. but can we wait to completely destroy his life until after a conviction?

I understand the defaming is not very fun when innocent. But considering there are now 4 charges against him, I highly doubt this is an error.

Quote:


Maybe you should post his $300,000 bail and let him play Legos with your kids.

A FOURTH CHILD VICTIM UNCOVERED...
From NJ.com

The Jersey City man who taught a LEGOs afterschool activity at a number of Hudson County schools has been charged in a fourth fondling case in connection with a class, officials said today.

Accused child molester Eric Sophie, 40, of Newport Parkway, was charged this weekend with sexual assault by contact, child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor John Mulkeen said. The prosecutor did not provide the age of the child, nor say where the alleged abuse occurred.

Sophie was first arrested Wednesday, accused with molesting two 5-year-old girls and an 8-year-old girl. He was charged then with three counts each of sexual assault by contact, child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, officials said.

Mulkeen said those alleged incidents occurred in Jersey City and Hoboken.

Sophie, who calls himself "Legomaster" on his MySpace.com page, ran an after-school program at Ethical Community Charter School on Broadway in Jersey City. The school opened in September 2009 and currently has three grades, kindergarten through second grade. The principal told The Jersey Journal that his services were terminated following his arrest and also said he had passed a background check before he was hired.

The school sent out a letter to parents saying the person who led the LEGO program had been arrested, adding that more information was available by calling the principal or the Hudson County Prosecutor's Special Victims Unit.

Prosecutors have not identified other schools where Sophie worked.

Mulkeen, a team leader in the prosecutor's office's Special Victims Unit, said investigators conducted numerous interviews over the weekend and the investigation could last weeks or months.

"If a parent has a child that was taught by this individual, we would be happy to interview the child," said Mulkeen, who would say little about Sophie's alleged conduct. "We would advise against discussing any potential allegation directly with the child. We have detectives trained to interview victims of child abuse using a nationally recognized, non-suggestive format."

Sophie's intricate, complex and often large Lego creations have been exhibited in Liberty State Park, on the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, in the Newport Town Square near his home, at the New Jersey Science and Engineering Festival in Clifton, on the "Good Day, New York" television program, on the Lego website and numerous other venues.

The Newport man had a listing on the Hoboken Family Alliance website's Birthday Party Idea page offering his services. It reads, "Eric Sophie will come to your party and build a Lego phenom with your party guest." The listing was removed over the weekend.

Sophie's original bail was set at $200,000 cash or bond and a $100,000 cash or bond bail has been added due to the new charge, Mulkeen said, adding that Sophie remains at the Hudson County jail in Kearny.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office's Special Victim's Unit can be reached at (201) 915-1234.

anyone can be accused of / arrested for anything.

I know it's unrealistic, but I wish they wouldn't splash the faces and names of accused molesters all over the front page until after a conviction.

even if this guy is found innocent, he'll be immortalized as a pedophile on the web.

We need more charter schools!

Jesus Christ, this makes me sick. Were these children students at the Ethical School? If so, how was he allowed to be left alone with them?

[img][/img]

From NJ.com

A Jersey City man who ran an afterschool LEGOs-oriented activity for children has been charged with fondling three girls in Jersey City and Hoboken, officials said today.

Eric Sophie, 40, of Newport Parkway, is accused of molesting two 5-year-olds and an 8-year-old, Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor John Mulkeen told The Jersey Journal this afternoon.

Sophie was arrested Wednesday on three counts each of sexual assault by contact, child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, he said.

Sophie, who calls himself a "Legomaster" on Myspace.com, ran the afterschool program at the Ethical Community Charter School on Broadway in Jersey City.

The Jersey Journal learned of the matter after the school sent a letter to parents saying the person who led the LEGO program had been arrested. The letter said more information was available by calling the principal or the Hudson County Prosecutor's Special Victims Unit.

"The accused person has been relieved of his duties pending a criminal investigation," Principal Marta Bergamini said today. "We cannot comment further under state law at this time."

But Bergamini noted that the school is "cooperating fully with all authorities.''

She added: "The school takes the safety of all their children very seriously and we did a full background check on this employee and he was clean."

Sophie's intricate, complex and often large LEGO creations have been exhibited in Liberty State Park, as part of the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, in the Newport Town Square near his home, at the New Jersey Science and Engineering Festival in Clifton, on the "Good Day, New York" television program, on the LEGO website and at numerous other venues.

A listing for him on the Hoboken Family Alliance's Birthday Party Idea page offers: "Eric Sophie will come to your party and build a Lego phenom with your party guest."

Mulkeen, who heads the Prosecutor's Office's Special Victims Unit, said Sophie was transported to the Hudson County jail in Kearny yesterday and he is being held in lieu of $200,000 cash or bond bail.

The investigation, Mulkeen said, is very active. No further information will be released at this time, he said.