Feds: Former NYC School Teacher Arrested On Charges Of Possessing Child Pornography
BELLMORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A former teacher and school bus driver has been arrested on charges of possessing child pornography after Homeland Security agents raided his Long Island home on Wednesday, according to federal authorities.
Alfonso Marino, 63, is accused of downloading child pornography off of the Internet and collecting the pornographic images over a 10-year period, prosecutors said.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports
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Agents from the Department of Homeland Security Child Exploitation Unit conducted the raid of Marino's home.
Federal officials said a safe containing the pornographic images and two illegal guns were seized during the search.
Marino willingly opened up the safe for authorities and told them they had enough evidence to lock him up forever, according to federal court documents.
1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports
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Marino is a former night school teacher at Flushing High School and suburban school bus driver who retired last year, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
Agents said during the search, Marino admitted he had been collecting the child pornography for a decade, according to the federal complaint against him.
Neighbors who know Marino said they were shocked to find out about the charges against him.
"Oh my God. I tell you, you just absolutely never know, do you? He has a daughter," one woman told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.
"You don't know what goes on behind closed doors. I just feel bad for his wife, his daughter. I feel bad for him," another neighbor told McLogan.
Marino's wife was in the Central Islip federal courtroom for his arraignment taking notes, but the couple's college-age daughter who lives with them was not, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.
Marino is due back in court for a bail hearing on Friday. He faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.
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