Survivors and Advocates Outraged Over Decision to Release Convicted Child Sex Abuser Decades Early

BROOKLYN, NY (01/27/2026) (readMedia)-- Survivors of sexual abuse in the Jewish community and survivor advocates expressed outrage today after Kings County Supreme Court Judge Matthew D'Emic resentenced convicted child sex abuser Nechemya Weberman to 18 years plus 10 years of supervised release. The only reason Judge D'Emic was considering this resentencing to begin with is because Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, along with Weberman and the Satmar community supporting him, have been advocating for it against the victim-survivor's wishes. The decision follows a controversial announcement made in November by Brooklyn DA Gonzalez publicly stating his support for vacating Weberman's sentence. Gonzalez also sent former Governor Andrew Cuomo a formal request to commute Weberman's sentence on Cuomo's last day in office. ADA Joe Alexis, representing the Brooklyn DA at today's hearing, took no position on Weberman's motion.

Weberman was serving a 50-year sentence for repeatedly sexually abusing a then 12 year old girl. Today's decision results in Weberman's release approximately 32 years early and sends a chilling message to survivors that the legal system charged with representing them is willing to prioritize their abusers.

Attorneys for the victim-survivor and survivor advocates strongly opposed Weberman's bid for early release. In a detailed brief submitted in December, the vicitim-survivor's attorney argued that Weberman's original sentence was neither cruel, unusual, nor disproportionate, and that only a lengthy sentence could satisfy the demands of justice and protect the public. The brief warned that Weberman has not been rehabilitated, has shown no remorse, and continues to pose "an extreme danger to society." ZA'AKAH - an organization advocating for survivors of abuse within the Orthodox Jewish community - and many other survivor advocates, also submitted a letter and briefs to the Judge, urging the court to deny Weberman's resentencing and emphasizing the unique harm he poses upon reentry. Two leaders in restorative justice wrote an op-ed in the Daily News arguing Weberman has not done any repentance and should not be released.

For more than a decade, Weberman's Satmar community has actively worked to recast his crimes, portraying him as a falsely accused martyr and mobilizing significant support on his behalf. As one brief stated, "The reason he is so dangerous is the same reason Your Honor is only hearing from one victim at sentencing: it is because he not only commits the crime, he is also untouchable." The named victim-survivor in this case isn't the only known victim-survivor that Weberman abused. Six additional survivors reported to the district attorney's office that, dating back to the 1990s, Weberman sexually abused them in counseling sessions. Survivors, particularly from insular religious communities, already face many barriers to justice. Weberman's early release will have even more of a chilling effect.

Despite these arguments, Judge D'Emic sided with Weberman and his supporters.

"This decision is a devastating betrayal of survivors. It tells them that the system meant to protect them is willing to prioritize their abusers over their safety and justice. Nechemya Weberman's early release endangers the community and retraumatizes every survivor who has fought for decades to be heard. Justice must never be compromised by community pressure or political considerations. We are outraged by this decision and will continue our work to advocate and support survivors in our community," said Asher Lovy, Director of ZA'AKAH.

Background:

In 2013, then Brooklyn DA, Charles Hynes, won a conviction against Weberman, with a judge sentencing him to 103 years, and was later reduced to 50 years. A few years after his sentencing, in 2021, DA Gonzalez asked then-Governor Cuomo to commute Weberman's sentence. Cuomo ultimately didn't do it. Now, Weberman's team has filed a motion to vacate the sentence and reinstate it to time served with a commitment from DA Gonzalez that he would support the motion. If successful, he would be free immediately.

After Weberman's conviction in 2013 and during the trial, members of the Satmar community (an ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jews who live primarily in Monroe and Williamsburg) intimidated the victim and her family, including public disparagement, held a fundraiser that raised over $500,000 to support Weberman and attempted to bribe the victim.

Releasing Weberman early would endanger children and women, signaling to abusers that powerful allies can shield them from accountability. 1 in 4 girls, and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Children with disabilities are 2.9 times more likely than children without disabilities to be sexually abused. Survivors of child sex abuse are more likely to suffer from PTSD, depression and anxiety. Survivors may also face retaliation from institutions and community members, leading them to stay quiet and not come forward.