The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York confirmed that disturbing images involving a child therapist from Long Island were shared, including videos of child abuse.
Renee “Lina” Hoberman, a licensed social worker based in Plainview, New York, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to distributing child pornography through a social media platform in federal court.
The 36-year-old reportedly informed investigators that she had accessed certain content that had recently surfaced online.
Hoberman admitted to authorities that she preferred children as young as three years old and was drawn to the violent depictions present in the child pornography, according to the complaint.
One of the videos shared by her allegedly showed an adult man sexually assaulting a toddler, who was unable to escape.
She also engaged in an online community where she uploaded abusive content and participated in discussions about child sexual exploitation on October 16, 2024. Her arrest was announced later that year.
In those discussions, Hoberman posed as a father of multiple children, falsely claiming instances of abuse against them. It was reported that she detailed violent acts, including physically punishing children in front of others.
She even invited someone online to visit her “family” in New York to commit further abuse against fabricated children, according to authorities.
While Hoberman didn’t physically own any child, she utilized a social media messaging app to disseminate the abusive footage.
Some of the videos reportedly depicted a baby being held down and assaulted by an adult male.
The Department of Justice noted that Hoberman distributed deeply disturbing child pornography between June and October 2024, including a video depicting horrific abuse.
Using various usernames like “Badgurl854” and “Daddywhospanks Naked,” Hoberman engaged in these online chats, which were reported.
In October, she was arrested after officials received tips regarding her online activities, prompting a search of her phone that uncovered hidden files containing child abuse material.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocera Jr. condemned Hoberman’s actions as “despicable and incomprehensible.” He remarked that the content she sought to share represented the violation of the most innocent members of society.
Nocera expressed that her crimes should evoke a strong reaction from all morally conscious individuals.
Hoberman faces a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.
