Melville Driving Instructor Arrested For Showing Pornography To Teens: Police

MELVILLE, NY — A driver education instructor was arrested Sunday after allegedly showing pornographic content to teenagers during a driving lesson last month, according to Suffolk County Police Department.

Police said officers from the Third Precinct Investigative Unit began an investigation after receiving a tip regarding the conduct of Mitchell Lerner, an employee of Defensive Driving School in Central Islip.

Investigators determined that on Dec. 22, Lerner was instructing three 16-year-old males while driving in Smithtown when he showed them pornographic videos and images on a phone, police said.

Lerner, 75, of Melville, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Sunday at his Caxton Street home and charged with 3 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

Police said Lerner was issued a desk appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been a victim of this crime to contact Third Precinct Investigative Unit officers at 631-854-8326.