Connecticut State Police, along with the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Hamden Police Department have arrested a WTNH ABC 8 meteorologist on child pornography charges.
Connecticut State Police, along with the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Hamden Police Department have arrested a WTNH ABC 8 meteorologist on child pornography charges.
Justin Goldstein, 33, was arrested at WTNH in New Haven and charged with first-degree possession of child pornography and promoting a minor in an obscene performance.
Authorities executed a search warrant at 1521 Aspen Glen Drive in Hamden, Connecticut as part of an investigation that has been ongoing since June. Police say they seized various computer equipment and found files of suspected child porn when they searched it on scene.
Mark Higgins, President and General Manager of WTNH-TV, issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon.
"We are deeply concerned by the allegations. Until the matter is resolved, Justin Goldstein is suspended from his duties at WTNH.”
WTNH reported the story on their website, and the station removed Goldstein's bio from the site. Goldstein also deleted both his Twitter and professional Facebook accounts Wednesday evening.
During the 10pm newscast the station reported on the story in a segment that lasted a little over a minute. Anchor/reporter Kelly Sullivan from Media General sister-station WPRI in Providence, Rhode Island reported on the story "to ensure we provide balanced coverage of this story involving one of our employees" said WTNH anchor Darren Kramer.
Goldstein joined the WTNH team in December 2013. He got his start at News 12 in Connecticut, and has also done the weather in Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Toledo, and Charleston. He is a native of Staten Island, New York.
Goldstein was released on a $200,000 bond and expected in court in Meriden on July 14.
On July 13, 2016 detectives from the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Hamden Police Department served a Search and Seizure Warrant at 1521 Aspen Glen Dr., Hamden.
The search warrant was part of an on-going investigation into the possession of child pornography. State Police detectives initiated the investigation in June 2016 after video files of suspected child pornography were downloaded from the Internet account assigned to Justin Goldstein.
Computers and computer-related equipment were seized from Goldstein's residence during the search. The seized items were examined on-scene, and files of suspected child pornography were located.
Goldstein was later located at his place of employment and taken into custody. Goldstein was transported to Troop I-Bethany where he was fingerprinted, photographed and was released after posting bond pending his court date.
Arrested:
Justin Goldstein (dob 9/17/82)
1521 Aspen Glen Dr.
Hamden, CT.
Charges:
- Illegal Possession of Child Pornography
- Promoting a Minor in Obscene Performance
Court:
Meriden Superior Court
July 26, 2016Bond:
Full Statement from Connecticut State Police
$200,000.00
