HFD Captain Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Appears In Court

CYPRESS, TX — A Houston fire department captain who was arrested on Friday on 10 counts of possession of child pornography made his first court appearance on Tuesday.

Ryan William Steckler, 36, was arrested at his home in Copperfield after investigators received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Steckler had uploaded online images of graphic child pornography, KTRK reported.

During a search of his home, Houston Police found nearly a dozen images and videos of children under the age of 12, engaged in various sex acts.

Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena said the 14-year veteran was relieved of duty and is currently under administrative investigation.

Steckler, who was booked into the Harris County Jail on Friday, and later freed on bonds totaling $100,000, was ordered to stay away from all children under the age of 18, including his own 4-year-old daughter; stay in Harris County; stay off the Internet, and to stay 1,000 feet or more from a school or daycare, according KPRC.

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