A Rockland County corrections sergeant pleaded not guilty to alleged child pornography charges Thursday morning at Clarkstown Justice Court in New City.

Daniel Dworkin, a 44-year-old man from Valley Cottage, entered a not guilty plea to Judge Leslie Kahn. He faces 51 counts of both promoting and possessing a sexual performance by a child. He's accused from last March to November of having 51 different images of a girl younger than 16 engaged in sexual acts in a Google Drive account associated with his email and IP address.

News 12 is told Dworkin has 18 years with county corrections. Records show he earned $113,407.27 as a sergeant in 2022. The Rockland Sheriff's office says Dworkin has been suspended without pay. They are now doing their own investigation and say these allegations happened while he was off duty and are not connected to his position.

“I am extremely disturbed to learn of the allegations against one of our correction officers and, if substantiated, I trust that he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Rockland Sheriff Louis Falco III. "The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is staffed by dedicated professionals, and the actions of this one individual, should not negatively reflect on the members of the Sheriff’s Office who serve and protect the citizens of Rockland County each and every day."

The Rockland District Attorney's Office arrested Dworkin as part of a national, state, and local task force that focuses on internet crimes against children.

"We are committed to protecting our children," Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh reminds parents to be vigilant. "Please, make sure you know what your children are doing on the internet. Please monitor their electronic devices."

Bail was set at $500,000.

News 12 is told that Dworkin is being held at the Rockland County jail until he's transferred to another facility because of his current job.

Dworkin denied protective custody in the courtroom. He is scheduled to be back in Clarkstown Court on Monday.

The public defender at his arraignment had no comment.