Facebook used to lure kids into porn

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) - U.S. Attorney William Hochul says a former West Seneca teacher wove a web of deceit, luring some of his students and others into child pornography through Facebook.

Prosecutors say Timothy Bek violated the sacred trust between a student and a teacher, lusting after the very children he taught.

"He was engaging in some of the most vile conduct, frankly, I have seen," Hochul said. "The depths and the methodical approach that was taken was shocking. It was something I had never seen before and hope to never see again."

The investigation into Bek began when his older brother, Jason Bek, was captured by authorities and accused of enticing a minor into sexual activity. A law enforcement agent had posed as a 13-year-old online and Jason Bek had allegedly tried meeting up with the child for sex, only to be arrested by authorities.

During that investigation, detectives uncovered almost 14,000 images and dozens of videos on Timothy Bek's computer of child pornography, some of which contained images of violence and pornographic images of toddlers.

"As our evidence showed, Mr. Bek possessed a cunning and intelligence of predatory nature that truly marks him as one of the most evil people we have convicted," Hochul said.

The government's sentencing memorandum quotes the defendant as saying: "I felt that if they were sending videos to a young girl and were willing to do it, as long as they didn't know it was me, no harm could come from it."

Read more from the sentencing memorandum here. The document breaks down Bek's activities as a most heinous sexual predator, and it goes without saying the contents are disturbing in nature.

Hochul noted, "This is the first case where we actually saw the entire progression of a predator."

Bek created a Facebook page posing as a 16-year-old girl named "Sarah Grayson." He then befriended young teens online, convincing them to send him lurid photos - then blackmailing them to send him even more.

"This was a teacher, someone we place trust and confidence in, and he was exploiting students that he knew," FBI Assistant Special Agent Steven Lancer said.

Officials describe those students as physically and emotionally vulnerable.

Hochul stated, "In looking today at Timothy Bek, I think the public truly sees the face of evil."

In court, Bek said, "To the students I betrayed, nothing excuses what I did. I won't ask for forgiveness. I will never forgive myself."

A judge threw the book at Bek for his crimes, sentencing him to 30 years in federal prison.