Suffolk County Police on Sunday, January 11 arrested a driving school instructor for showing pornography to three teenagers during a driving lesson in Smithtown last month.
After receiving a tip, Third Precinct Investigative Unit officers conducted an investigation into the activities of Mitchell Lerner, an employee of Defensive Driving School, located at 156 Wheeler Road, Central Islip. The investigation determined that on December 22 while driving in Smithtown and instructing three 16-year-old males, Lerner showed the juveniles pornographic videos and images on a phone.
Lerner, 75, of 8 Caxton Street, Melville, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. today at his home and charged with three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.
Investigators are asking anyone with additional information, or who believes they may have been a victim of this crime, to call Third Precinct Investigative Unit officers at 631-854-8326.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.