A New York City Correction Department investigator has been found guilty of child pornography charges.
On Monday a jury returned a guilty verdict for Fernando Clarke, 64, who allegedly downloaded the abusive images onto his home computer.
The investigator from East Meadows, New York was found guilty on seven counts of transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography and will face a minimum of five years behind bars and a fine of $250,000 for his crimes.
Clarke, currently in custody, will be sentenced by US District Judge Arthur D. Spatt on April 13, 2018.
Investigator Fernando Clarke, 64, was found guilty by a jury on Monday on seven counts of transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography
The court accused Clarke of downloading videos of preteen children being raped and abused, which he kept it on a computer in his home. The videos were found after a court-ordered search of his home on July 28, 2015.
He claimed he downloaded the files in connection with his work as an investigator.
However he admitted that at the time of the search he had not been authorized to even access or download the pornography for his employment.
He was arrested that same day and suspended from his position at the Corrections Department at Riker’s Island.
‘As a sworn law enforcement officer, Clarke had a mandatory obligation to report child abuse,’ Attorney Richard P. Donoghue said in Department of Justice news release.
‘Instead, he downloaded images of the rape and abuse of children for his personal use. We will be vigilant in holding accountable law enforcement officers who violate their oaths,’ he added.
After a police search found the videos of child pornography on his computer he was arrested and suspended from his position at Riker’s Island (penitentiary complex above)
Instead of reporting the images, Clarke added to the demand for the abusive pornography.
‘By trafficking in images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of numerous children, Fernando Clarke added to the demand that fuels the creation and dissemination of these horrific images,’ Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan said.
‘The diligent efforts of our investigative partners helped ensure that this former corrections investigator, who violated the public’s trust in law enforcement, was brought to justice,’ he added.
Clarke’s actions were disgraced as ‘unfathomable’ for a member of law enforcement.
‘Clarke downloaded videos of children being sexually abused. It is unfathomable that anyone, especially someone working in law enforcement, could be capable of such an act,’ Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent-in-Charge Melendez.
‘It is unfathomable that anyone, especially someone working in law enforcement, could be capable of such an act. Clarke will face the consequences of his reprehensible actions, and it is because of individuals like him that HSI will continue to work tirelessly, dedicating extensive resources, to investigating child exploitation cases in New York and around the country,’ Melendez added.
The case against Clarke was made with the help of Homeland Security Investigations, the New York City Department of Investigation, Inspector General, Board of Correction; the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and the High Technology Investigative Unit.