The man who allegedly provided shelter to the 17-year-old daughter of Rosie O'Donnell is facing multiple charges in court which could land him five-year prison terms in state detention centers. Steven Sheerer, 25, is accused of third-degree distribution of obscenity to a minor for allegedly sending his nude photo to Chelsea O'Donnell.
E! News reports that the police, with the permission of Rosie, got Chelsea's mobile phone, and they found "evidence of inappropriate communications over the last several weeks" between the minor and Steven. An alleged drug dealer, Steven also faced third-degree endangering the welfare of a child charge.
He was arrested by police at his New Jersey home after Rosie reported that Chelsea was missing. Steven is detained at the Ocean County Jail on a $40,000 bond and is banned from reaching Chelsea and her family. Police confiscated his computer and other digital gadgets from his home as part of the investigation.
Steven has a record of arrests since 2012 for drunk driving, possession of heroin and disorderly conduct. Rosie, meanwhile, thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the local police for their work in finding her daughter and arresting Steven.
Robert Tarver, lawyer of the accused, said he will present evidence to prosecutors that Steven is not guilty. He says, "We have strong evidence that there was no endangering here, and that it will show that what has been reported and what his role supposedly was is completely false," quotes Associated Press.
When police when to Steven's house, the person who opened the door initial did not admit that Chelsea was there. However, when they told that person authorities would not leave the house until they have Rosie's daughter, Chelsea came out and went with the police.