Army Recruiter Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

An Army recruiter who lives in Newark was arrested Tuesday and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced.

Andre DeMelo, 29, was arrested after officials from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Task Force and Essex County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team found pictures and videos of underage girls on a laptop DeMelo owned.

DeMelo, who works in New York City, faces five to 10 years in state prison if he is convicted of the crime. He would also have to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

DeMelo is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 15.