Jacob Schwartz, the 29-year-old president of Manhattan Young Democrats and a member of NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio's administration, was arrested for allegedly having "more than 3,000 images and 89 videos depicting children engaging in sex acts on an adult" on his computer. The ages of the children depicted in the images ranged from approximately 6 months old to 16 years old.
The investigation began last March, when Schwartz willingly handed his laptop to be scrutinized by the police. Shortly therafter, he surrendered at the 13th Precinct of Manhattan, the New York Post reported.
Schwartz worked as a temporary computer programmer analyst for the city's Department of Design and Construction earning $66,360 in a year under the De Blasio administration. He was also the president of the Manhattan Young Democrats and the downstate region vice president of the New York State Young Democrats, stated the Post.
He was immediately terminated from his position and the allegations towards him "shocked" the Manhattan Young Democrats.
The MYD stated: "The Manhattan Young Democrats are shocked by recent reports of criminal allegations against one of our members. The individual is no longer a member of the board, and an interim president is now in place.
MYD maintains a deep and abiding respect for our judicial system, and the sacred principle that individuals are innocent until proven guilty, but the nature of these accusations required us to take immediate action."
It continued: "While the allegations are deeply upsetting, MYD is committed to continuing our work. We have a longstanding tradition of activating, educating, and empowering young progressives to take action on the issues that matter most to them, and MYD will continue to work toward that."
Moreover, Melissa Grace, City Hall Spokeswoman told reporters, "This is a junior-level agency employee with no connection to the mayor or city hall. He is being terminated immediately, and the agency is cooperating with investigators."
Schwartz had already been active in the field of politics since he was young "helping his father campaign for Democratic district leader in Greenwich Village." He attended Lehigh University and was talented as a young person.
Schwartz's father said that the case of his son was "a personal tragedy." Moreover, he also said that his son was undergoing therapy which was confirmed by James Roth, Schwartz's attorney.
Jacob Schwartz can be released from a bail amounting to $7,500.
