Oppose Pretrial Release of Mr. William Zev Steen

Mr. Steen is a person I deeply trusted.. So how can we let innocent, trusting children be anywhere near him now that this kind of evidence has been found?

Although I was friendly with the defendant, I believe he poses a danger to the community and should not be released before his trial. Although he has not yet been convicted, the severity of his alleged crimes renders him a danger to the community. This is especially so given that the evidence against him is strong (he has admitted to owning the devices with child pornography, he has admitted that he was the only one with access to the computer that was distributing child pornography, etc.). Notably, a number of the defendant’s stated grounds for his release in his Petition should actually be grounds to keep him confined. For example, point 4 highlights his close ties to the community and points 3 and 5 highlight his respected role in the community. It is precisely the close-knit and trusting nature of the Orthodox Jewish community, and his respected role within that community that render him a particular danger to the community. The same goes for point 7 - his longstanding role in Bnos Yisroel of Baltimore. Is a history of extended contact with minor girls in a position of authority and trust, really a reason to *release* an alleged pedophile? Should the defendant really be emphasizing connection to vulnerable girls in Bnos Yisroel given that his charging documents state that he possessed pornographic images of a young student of that very school? The same goes for point 6 – the defendant’s role as founder of a tech company devoted to hiding people’s online identities and activities. Is that really a reason to release someone accused of producing and distributing child pornography to fellow criminals online? Similarly, point 12 states that there has never been an allegation made against defendant of sexual wrongdoing since he allegedly raped a child in 2005. Apparently, his 15 consequent charges of possessing and distributing child pornography don’t constitute ‘sexual wrongdoing.’ If this is the defendant’s idea of proper sexual conduct, should he really be

As others have said, this despicable monster is: 1. A clear and proven danger to our children 2. A flight risk. He cannot be released; to do so would be a miscarriage of justice and against the wishes of the Jewish community and the rest of the Baltimore community.

Don't let him out. Why should we give the message that we stand behind abusers?

He's a sick man. He doesn't belong near children especially his own.

There is a disturbing pattern of pedophiles from the orthodox Jewish community fleeing to Israel when awaiting trial, and I’m so certain that would happen here too if he is released from the prison system. Innocent until proven guilty is all well and good unless the FBI has a mountain of evidence against you. If he is truly innocent, that will be discovered upon the finality of the trial. In the meantime, it is so much more important to keep his children and others safe than to make a potentially dangerous person feel “more comfortable”.

Does anyone care about protecting our children? This man allegedly engaged in some of the most heinous types of acts (pedophilia and incest). How could anyone in their right mind stand behind this and want his release?

Please keep our children safe

Child abusers should have no leniencies. .

This animal needs to wait in jail for his trial. No one is safe. the rabbaim who have his back are just as bad and should be thrown out. I’m disgusted

Thanks for considering

Why should it be necessary to petition? Shouldn’t a judge know better?

I support this petition!!! Please keep our children safe by preventing Mr. Steen from being released.

May he rot in prison!

This man is a threat to the community and therefore should be kept locked up.

Agree whole heartedly

Why should the victims loose sleep. Will our Government protect pedophiles

Please stop this release as this puts so many children at risk. By staying at the Yeshiva, Mr. Steen will have access to children on the campus, and unless completely supervised that leaves all children vulnerable to any actions of Mr. Steen. Thank you for protecting a vulnerable set of children.

Mr. Steen should not be allowed release from prison before trial. He is a danger to the community.

We do not support Abusers!