TV weatherman Justin Goldstein has been charged with possessing child pornography.
The Hamden, Connecticut–based meteorologist was arrested at the WTNH-TV studio in New Haven on Wednesday, July 13, according to a warrant obtained by the Hartford Courant. He had been employed at the station since 2013.
“We are deeply concerned by the allegation,” Mark Higgins, general manager of WTNH, told the paper in a statement.
The Connecticut State Police department shared on its Facebook page that it launched an investigation in June after video files of suspected child pornography were downloaded from an IP address assigned to Goldstein. “Computers and computer-related equipment were seized from Goldstein’s residence during the search,” read the July 14 statement. “The seized items were examined on scene and files of suspected child pornography were located.”
According to the Hartford Courant, the 33-year-old was charged with promoting a minor in an obscene performance and possession of child pornography. He is free on $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court July 26.
Goldstein’s biography no longer appears on the WTNH website and his social media accounts have been deleted.
The Staten Island, New York, native, who graduated from Kean University in 2005, was profiled in the school newsletter Cougar’s Byte in 2009. “At the age of three, Goldstein enjoyed watching the Weather Channel more than any other television channel,” wrote Zachary Valdes. “And he frequently offered his parents forecasts, charting atmospheric conditions on a chalkboard.”
