Ex-Teacher Headed to Prison for Violating Probation

Accused of Soliciting Sex from Minors

A former Forest Hills middle school math teacher is facing up to six years in prison for violating the terms of probation he was sentenced to last year after being charged with sending sexually explicit computer messages to eight current or former students.

Bradley Dieffenbacher, 32, of Long Island, pleaded guilty last week to violating his probation by tutoring a 15-year-old boy between December 2008 and March 2009. Queens Supreme Court Justice Douglas Wong sentenced him to between two and six years in prison for the probation violation.

Last June, Dieffenbacher – who taught math at MS 190Q at the time – was sentenced to six months in jail and four and a half years probation after pleading guilty to attempted use of a child in a sexual performance. He admitted that between April 2007 and February 2008, he sent sexually explicit instant messages over the Internet to eight adolescent boys who had been or were presently students of his. He was also ordered to register as sex offender and surrender his state teaching license.

Despite being ordered by his probation officer to not have contact with any minors, Dieffenbacher responded to an online advertisement for a math tutor in Nassau County. His supervisor eventually because suspicious of his activities and conducted a check of his computer usage, which showed he was using instant messaging to solicit sex from minors. As a result he was sentenced in Queens County for violating probation from the June conviction, and Nassau County authorities are investigating the new allegations.

“This case should serve as a clear and unmistakable warning that law enforcement is prepared to apprehend and prosecute those who attempt to engage in illicit activity involving children,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “Furthermore, defendants must be made to understand that those who would violate the terms of their probation will be prosecuted and sent to prison.”