Cops: Montclair photog tries enticing 14-year-old into phone sex
Tuesday, July 03
By DAN PROCHILO
of The Montclair Times
A professional photographer from Montclair is awaiting trial after police accused him of having sexually explicit phone conversations with an aspiring teen model from Wyoming.
Police said the suspect, Jason Block, 37, found the 14-year-old girls picture and profile on a networking Web site, onemodelplace.com, which is designed to put models, agents and photographers in contact with one another.
The teenagers mother, whose name The Montclair Times is withholding to protect her daughters identity, said the girls profile contained nothing promiscuous, describing it as very tame and extremely age-appropriate.
Investigators said Block e-mailed the girls mother on March 29, shortly after her daughters profile was posted, leaving his telephone number and inviting the woman to visit his Web site.
He checked out very well, said the mother, adding that Block appeared to be every professional and very business-like, judging from his rsum.
According to authorities, she called Block shortly after receiving that e-mail, and through the next several weeks they discussed, via e-mail and telephone, the girls potential future modeling career.
But the night of Wednesday, April 11, Block revealed he was seeking more than a working relationship with the girl, police said.
The photographer called the house, located in Wyoming, and the teen picked up the phone, her mother said.
According to the criminal complaint from the U.S. Attorneys Office, a copy of which was obtained by The Times, Block instructed the girl to stand in front of a mirror and touch herself during that conversation.
The child felt very uncomfortable with Block and did not want to talk to him again, the complaint indicated.
But Block said he would call back on Friday of that week, the victims mom said. Wanting to catch him in the act, the woman borrowed a tape recorder and hooked it up to the phone, authorities said.
I was very concerned about other children being victimized, said the mother.
According to investigators, Block is heard on the tape asking the girl if she had practiced on herself and if she had ever had sexual intercourse. He also instructed the girl to fondle herself while telling him what she was doing, according to police.
I just feel a little strange, cuz youre young, to be honest with you, the U.S. Attorneys Office complaint quotes Block as saying. Would I want you?
According to the charging document, Block immediately continues, talking in graphic detail about performing sex acts with the teen.
He said horrible things to my daughter, the girls mother said. She has issues from it. She couldnt shower enough for the first four or five days [after]. She felt dirty.
According to the complaint, Block denied instructing the girl to masturbate when he was questioned on May 7 by Special Agent Randy Huff of Wyomings Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Timothy Boyd arrested Block two weeks ago, on June 19, and charged him with coercion and enticement of a minor.
Inga Parsons, Blocks attorney, said she could not make specific comments about law enforcements version of events, since Wyoming law prohibits discussing the facts of a case before it goes to court.
My client is an established modeling photographer, and this case involves modeling issues, Parsons said.
According to, the suspect is a commercial advertising, portrait, event, sports and fashion photographer.
He has been released on $1 million bond.
Federal authorities said he is to be monitored electronically to make sure he remains confined in his home except if he needs to meet with his attorney, see a medical doctor or show up in court.
He is only allowed to travel in New Jersey, New York and Wyoming, and he is barred from contacting the victim or any potential witnesses. Block is also under orders to cease working as a self-employed photographer pending the outcome of the case.
He is due to appear before a Wyoming judge at 10 A.M. On July 30, police said.
What was not included in the article was the fact that the website, onemodelplace was most instrumental in helping the authorities and deserves kudos for their help in this case.
Please note that he has not been convicted, only charged.
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