A 42-year-old corrections officer from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has been arrested for possessing a sexual performance by a child.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said that Robert Sorrentino, of Ridge, allegedly had child sexual abuse material on his phone involving children between the ages of 5 and 13.
He is also an active member of the U.S. Airforce Reserves and member of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.
“The alleged conduct of this employee is not only profoundly disturbing, but it is also a serious violation of the trust placed in law enforcement and the people we are sworn to protect,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “While these charges are heinous and inexcusable, they are in no way a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, who serve with integrity and honor.”
During the investigation, the FBI tracked Sorrentino's cryptocurrency account he is accused of using to buy the child sex abuse material. His address in Ridge was then linked to the purchases.
A search warrant search of his iPhone showed he allegedly accessed multiple videos depicting sexual abuse of children.
He was arrested on Thursday and faces 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted.
Tierney issued a statement on the offense which is not bail eligible:
“Unbelievably, because of current bail reform laws, my Office is legally prohibited from seeking bail in a case such as this, where an individual is charged with allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material. Our legislators and Governor need to understand that only child predators would willingly and repeatedly possess child sexual abuse materials. Not allowing us to ask for bail is dangerous. As I have consistently warned, our bail laws are still broken, and they need to be fixed.”