New Found Glory's Steve Klein Accused Of Child Sex Offences

Steve Klein, founding member of Florida pop-punk outfit New Found Glory, has been arraigned on a number of felony charges, including two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 14, three counts of lewd conduct with a minor 14 or 15, one count of intent to commit lewd act with a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography, idobi reports.

Klein went to court and pleaded not guilty to the charges back on December 12, 2013, a day after it was announced that he would no longer be a part of the band due to “personal differences”. Klein was not booked after his court appearance and remains a free man until his forthcoming court dates, which are scheduled for March 20 and April 10 of this year.

The band have issued a statement confirming that they let Steve go from the band in order for him to better deal with the issues he knew he was to be facing. 

“Upon our return from Warped Tour Australia, Steve made us aware of possible allegations that might be made against him," they wrote on their Facebook page. "At that point, not knowing all the details, we made the decision to part ways in order for him to deal with these personal issues.

“Us 4 members of New Found Glory have given our entire lives to this band and will continue to do so. We've been able to play all over the world for the most amazing fans. We can't wait to get in the studio to make a new album and we can't wait to get back on the road! Just coming off the Parahoy cruise and a surprise show in our hometown we are more inspired than ever! Thank you so much to everyone around the globe for always sticking by us. The future is bright.”

Debra S. White, the attorney representing Klein in the case, says that there was no actual lewd physical contact with a minor and that the charges stem from online video chats with anonymous women, who Klein believed to be of legal age at the time. 

Her statement is below:

“It is a difficult challenge to defend oneself in the media when there is a pending criminal case. This is because people are quick to assume that if a person is charged with a crime, they are also guilty as charged. And it is especially difficult because criminal defense attorneys insist that their clients not talk about the case to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected. Furthermore, attorneys are limited by law as to what can and cannot be said about a case to the public.

“In the matter of Steve Klein, since his case has now been brought into issue by the media, I am permitted to make a few statements. To that effect, I offer you the following indisputable facts about the accusations:

“Steve Klein is not accused of having any lewd actual physical contact with any minor.

“ALL charges against Steve are derived solely from online consensual video chats between Steve and some female strangers he met on an adult website. Steve believed the females were over the age of 18.

“The females alleged to be “minors” in this case are not known females. This means that no one, not the prosecution, not the police, and not the defense, actually know who the females are and no one knows their true age.

“The possession of child pornography charge is based solely on Steve allegedly “possessing” the videos of chats with the female strangers from the adult website.

“This is about all I am permitted to disclose at this time. But I can tell you, from my many years of experience in this specialty area of criminal defense, I wholeheartedly believe that Steve Klein is innocent of all of these charges.

“Steve is devastated by these accusations. He has lost his band, his livelihood, and his ex-wife continues to push for full custody of his children using this case as her pawn while he literally fights for his life. Despite this heavy hand, Steve remains strong and hopeful that he will be vindicated.”

New Found Glory were last in Australia as a part of the Warped Tour, just days before it was announced that Klein was out of the band.