Orthodontist Charged With Child Porn Possession
Court documents say Marc Robert Joondeph, 58, asked for and got instant message addresses from some of his female patients, some of them as young as 11-years-old.
He allegedly identified himself as the girls' orthodontist and in those online chats began calling them "cutie," "sweetie," and "hot," and asked about "panty size and bra size" and on at least one occasion solicited "cybersex."
"He said 'Oh Jess I think you're really cute, I think you're really good looking,'" 12-year-old Jessica Jew said of the one online conversation she had with Joondeph. "And I just didn't think that was right since I knew it was my orthodontist."
"I'm appalled. I'm really appalled," said Jessica's mother Dianna.
But the girls' parents would be even more appalled when the investigation led to a search warrant of Joondeph's home.
Police say they found "child pornography in plain view," images of "young children in various states of dress, totally nude, and engaged in sexual acts."
And prosecutors say a search of Joondeph's home computer found "10,000 images of adult entertainment, cartoons, and video and images of child pornography." He also reportedly sent several images of child pornography to others on the Internet.
"So it kind of scared me," said Calysta Estep, 12.
"He's way out of line," said Calysta's father Jim. "And he has issues that need... he needs some help."
Joondeph still owns the Covington Orthodontics practice on 272nd near Highway 18. But during the course of the investigation his staff pressured him to leave. He reportedly did stop working at the office in July and was replaced by another orthodontist.
"And I think he contacted the wrong kids who knew better and knew to tell," said Calysta's mother Sandy Estep. "I don't think these are the only kids I think there's more out there and I urge them to come forward."
"I think it's really sad that our daughters had to grow up because of him," added Dianna Jew. "Because they needed to stay little girls in sixth grade. They didn't need to be exposed to this."
Joondeph was arrested five months ago on April 27. He has been free on bail ever since.
Prosecutors didn't file charges until Sept. 17. Later this month he will be arraigned on three counts of possessing child pornography and one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
He did not return our calls for comment.