Teacher Charged with Possessing, Receiving Child Porn
A high school teacher who resides in Somers was charged last week with allegedly possessing and receiving child pornography.
According to a complaint filed in federal court in White Plains November 23 by Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in October 2012 Nicholas Pagliuca, 65, a teacher in the Town of Mamaroneck, registered for a 30-day subscription to a website that is used by individuals to trade child pornography images and videos.
Bharara claimed Pagliuca downloaded hundreds of files containing images and videos of child pornography, many of which depicted young children engaged in sexual activity with adults or other children.
Using the email address he used to register with the website, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and New York State Police confirmed Pagliuca’s identity and his occupation before he was arrested at his Somers home.
“Individuals who take pleasure in downloading videos and photos of young children being sexually exploited need to be brought to justice, especially those whose jobs give them access to children, as in this case,” said Homeland Security Investigations Agent-in-Charge Angel Melendez.
Pagliuca was charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail.
“Anyone involved in child pornography, promoting the acts of child predators, or who performs predatory acts against children must understand that such crimes will not be tolerated,” said George Beach, superintendent of the State Police.
Bharara said the investigation is continuing and anyone who may have information relevant to the case should call a toll-free hotline 1-866-DHS-2ICE.
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