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Long Island Child Therapist Sentenced to Seven Years for Trading Violent Child Sexual Abuse Material

Prosecutors had sought a longer term given the involvement of infants.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert issued the sentence Friday in Central Islip after a federal guilty plea in June to receipt and distribution charges.
  • Investigators recovered well over 100 images and videos and estimate she exchanged hundreds more using encrypted platforms including Kik and Telegram.
  • Prosecutors characterized the material as exceptionally violent, with some files depicting infants 6 to 12 months old being restrained and raped by adult males.
  • Renee “Rina” Hoberman, who counseled children in Melville, surrendered her New York state therapy license in April 2025 after failing to contest allegations.
  • She was arrested on Oct. 23, 2024 and has remained in custody, as defense counsel sought the mandatory minimum citing trauma and treatment while incarcerated.