A Beachwood man who was a volunteer youth team leader at St. Barnabas catholic church in Bayville was arrested Monday for allegedly possessing and distributing child porn.

Anthony Mauro of Beachwood. (Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
Anthony Mauro of Beachwood. (Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
loading...

45-year old Anthony Mauro was arrested following a month long sting where police found over 100 child porn movies and images at his Compass Avenue residence.

The arrest followed an alert that popped up and seen by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crime Unit showing that someone in Ocean County was downloading images of, "prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts."

A month long investigation followed which led to a search warrant of Mauro's home and his arrest.

Mauro is being charged with one count of 3rd Degree Possession of Child Pornography and one count of 2nd Degree Distribution of Child Pornography.

He was taken into custody and placed in the Ocean County Jail pending a first appearance hearing.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Beachwood Police Department teamed up in this latest proactive operation to stop child exploitation.

The Prosecutor's Office has not currently developed any link between Mauro's criminal charges and his volunteer position with the church.

Prosecutors officials say Mauro was a volunteer Youth Team Leader for the Saint Barnabas Catholic Church in Bayville.

The public is reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

More From WOBM:

More From Beach Radio