A Brooklyn rabbi was awaiting arraignment in Queens on Thursday night on a bevy of sex crime charges after being nabbed in a "to catch a predator" sting.
Nathan David Rabinowich, 59, of Midwood, is to be charged with second-degree attempted rape and an attempted criminal sexual act, first-degree attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors and attempted endangering of a child, according to the Queens district attorney. Rabinowich allegedly corresponded with an NYPD vice detective posing as a 14-year-old girl under two different AOL screen names and sent sexually explicit instant messages in December and this month before arranging to meet the "girl" Wednesday night in Queens, said the Queens DA. He faces up to four years if convicted.
Israel Fried, Rabinowich's attorney, said it would be premature to comment as he had not yet seen the charges, but that "everyone is innocent until proven guilty."
Prosecutors said that Rabinowich operates both a synagogue and a business, Jewish Heritage Tours, from his Avenue R address.
Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
