Children’s singer in Hillsborough charged with distributing child pornography

Eric Komar

A music teacher and singer from Hillsborough who performs for children at synagogues, Jewish community centers, camps and conventions nationwide was arrested and charged yesterday with receiving and distributing images of child sexual abuse, law enforcement officials said.

Eric Komar, 46, was arrested by special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. He has been charged with one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Komar worked at Temple Beth El in Hillsborough and performed at events across the country. On his social media profiles he identifies himself as a Farmingdale native and says he attended Princeton University.

He allegedly used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to obtain and distribute images and videos that including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused, according to law enforcement officials and court documents. A search warrant at Komar’s house on Tuesday revealed a thumb drive, external hard drive, laptop and desktop computer. A review of the devices found pictures and videos of child pornography.

Komar made first appearance in court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court. He is being held in lieu of bail.

Acting U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hillsborough Township Police Department, and the N.J. Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, with the investigation leading to the charges.

Anyone with information regarding possible victims of the pornography activity should contact the FBI in Newark at 973-792-3000.