Bayville Youth Team Leader Facing Child Porn Charges

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has been using its High Tech Crime Unit to hone in on people who possess and distribute images of child pornography. The latest arrest came on Aug. 1, with the arrest of Anthony Mauro, 45, of Beachwood.

The HTCU made the arrest with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the Beachwood Police Department, said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

After a month-long investigation, the HTCU found that someone in the Ocean County area had downloaded images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. They were able to narrow it down to Mauro.

Authorities executed a search warrant at his home in the 500 block of Compass Avenue. They found more than 100 movies and images of child pornography in computers in the house, Della Fave said.

"Mauro is believed to be a volunteer Youth Team Leader for the Saint Barnabas Catholic Church in Bayville," Della Fave said. "At this time, the investigation has not developed any connection between the above criminal charges and his volunteer position."

Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman approved charges of one count of third-degree possession of child pornography and one count of second-degree distribution of child pornography. Mauro was taken into custody and lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a first-appearance hearing.

Anyone with information or concerns regarding this case is asked to contact the OCPO HTCU Detective Kaitlin Mantle at 732 929-2027 Ext. 2740. All information will be treated completely confidential.

Photo: Courtesy of Ocean County Prosecutor's Office