DA: Ex-Lindenhurst schools janitor facing over 100 child-sex-related charges

A former custodian in the Lindenhurst school district faces more than 100 felony charges for allegedly distributing videos and photographs depicting him sexually abusing a child.

An indictment alleges Brian Woehr, 40, of Lindenhurst, filmed himself sexually abusing a minor and shared the materials with others, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a news release.

A message posted Thursday on the homepage of the Lindenhurst Union Free School District said Woehr had previously worked in the district on a part-time basis.

"You may have read or heard about a recent Newsday article entitled 'DA: Ex-Lindenhurst Schools Janitor Facing Over 100 Child-Sex-Related Charges,'" the message reads. "Please be advised that his person was employed sporadically as a substitute custodian between 2018 and 2021 and has not worked in the district since 2021. His termination from Lindenhurst UFSD was completely unrelated to his recent arrest."

A spokesperson for the district Thursday declined to discuss why Woehr was terminated.

Woehr was arrested and charged earlier this month with two felony counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child and possession of a sexual performance of a child under 16, Newsday reported.

An investigation into Woehr began April 30 when the Suffolk County Police Department received u a tip from the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Woehr allegedly uploaded "multiple child sexual abuse images" via Google, Tierney said Wednesday.

That same day, Suffolk police executed a search warrant at Woehr’s home, where they confiscated his cellphone. A forensic analysis of the device revealed that Woehr allegedly produced several of the shared images and videos.

The following day, Woehr pleaded not guilty to two counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child and one count of possession of a sexual performance of a child under 16, Newsday reported at the time.

The investigation continued, revealing Woehr’s previous employment with the Lindenhurst school district, according to the release.

"Beyond the horrific trauma of the sexual abuse itself, this defendant allegedly recorded these despicable acts and distributed that material to others," Tierney said. "Each view and share re-victimizes the child."

Woehr pleaded not guilty Wednesday before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse; two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony; two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance; 52 counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child; 54 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child; and endangering the welfare of a child.

Steve Fondulis, listed as Woehr’s defense attorney in court records, did not immediately respond to telephone messages seeking comment Wednesday.

Woehr is due back in court June 20.

Police urge anyone with any additional information regarding the case to call the Suffolk County Digital Forensics Unit at 631-852-6279.