Natick man requested sexually specific pictures from particular person he thought was 12-year-old woman

A 51-year-old Natick man is dealing with fees that he tried to acquire sexually specific photos and sexual acts from a person on-line he believed was a 12-year-old woman, authorities introduced Wednesday.

Scott Newman, 51, of Natick is charged with enticement of a kid beneath 16 and trying to commit a criminal offense, the Middlesex County District Lawyer’s workplace mentioned in a press release. 

Prosecutors mentioned that on July 15, Massachusetts State Police have been contacted by the Defiance Police Division in Ohio a couple of suspect, later recognized as Newman, who had allegedly been partaking on-line with a detective who had been posing as a 12-year-old woman as a part of an undercover chat operation. 

Newman allegedly had sexually specific conversations with the undercover officer, inspired them to ship him sexually specific photos, and despatched pictures of himself. He allegedly instructed the detective, who he believed was a 12-year-old woman, to maintain their chats personal.

“Throughout their investigation Defiance Police have been capable of establish Newman because the suspect and discovered that the defendant labored in a job overseeing household schooling and management and sure labored in shut proximity to youngsters,” the DA’s workplace mentioned. 

Prosecutors mentioned Newman has recognized ties to Natick, Sudbury, and Newton.

Newman has labored as director of schooling and engagement at Kerem Shalom in Harmony since July 2024, in accordance with The Boston Globe.

Rabbi Darby J. Leigh of Kerem Shalom instructed the Globe that Newman was positioned on administrative depart “instantly” when the synagogue discovered of the fees Friday.

“We as a group have been shocked, horrified, and deeply, deeply saddened to be taught of the fees filed towards him,” Leigh instructed the newspaper.

In a press release, Middlesex County District Lawyer Marian Ryan mentioned the case “underscores” the hazards younger individuals face on-line.

“The defendant is alleged to have been utilizing encrypted messaging apps to have interaction in sexually specific conversations with somebody he believed to be a baby,” she mentioned. “He actively sought  to cover these interactions from her dad and mom and inspired secrecy. As personal messaging platforms turn into extra frequent, dad and mom and caregivers should work even tougher to foster open communication and to teach youngsters about secure web and social media use.”

Newman was arraigned on the fees on Friday and held on $25,000 bail, ordered to give up his passport, and to haven’t any contact with minors. 

He’ll return to court docket on Aug. 14. 

Dialynn Dwyer is a reporter and editor at Boston.com, overlaying breaking and native information throughout Boston and New England.