WHITE PLAINS, NY — Nicholas Pagliuca, 65, a teacher of Forensic Science and The Living Environment at Rye Neck High School and President of the Rye Neck Teachers Association, the local teachers union, was arrested early Wednesday morning on federal child pornography charges.
Pagliuca was arrested this morning at his home in Somers, NY. He is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Nicholas Pagliuca will be presented today at 3 p.m. before Judge McCarthy in courtroom 421 at the Federal Courthouse in White Plains, NY.
“As alleged, Nicholas Pagliuca, a teacher at a local high school, tapped into a website full of illegal child pornography to download images and videos,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Investigation and prosecution of these crimes are critical in protecting our children.”
“Anyone involved in child pornography, promoting the acts of child predators, or who performs predatory acts against children must understand that such crimes will not be tolerated,” said Rye Neck Superintendent George P. Beach II. “We will continue to work with our partners to thoroughly investigate and prosecute these illicit activities. Children must be protected, not preyed upon.”
“Individuals who take pleasure in downloading videos and photos of young children being sexually exploited need to be brought to justice, especially those whose jobs give them access to children, as in this case,” said New York State Police Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent-in-Charge Angel Melendez. “HSI is putting child predators on notice that we will not stop tracking and arresting these depraved individuals until the threat to children is no more.”
According to the Justice Department, in October 2012, an individual who was later identified as Pagliuca registered for a 30-day subscription to a website that is a popular means for individuals to trade child pornography images and videos. Pagliuca downloaded hundreds of files containing images and videos of child pornography, many of which depicted prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity with adults or other children. Using the email address Pagliuca used to register with the website, agents with HSI and officers of the NYSP confirmed Pagliuca identity and his occupation as a teacher at a public high school in Mamaroneck, New York.
Any individuals who believe they have information concerning Nicholas Pagliuca that may be relevant to the investigation should contact HSI at through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE; TTY for hearing impaired: (802) 872-6196. This hotline is staffed around-the-clock by investigators.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Gillian Grossman is in charge of the prosecution.
UPDATE 4:30 PM: Statement from Rye Neck Superintendent of Schools George P. Beach II
We learned this morning from a press inquiry that Mr. Pagliuca has apparently been arrested on criminal charges which may include allegations of child pornography. This was the first indication which we had of any possible activity of this nature, and at this time we have no reason to believe that any student has been exposed to misconduct or that any School District facilities have been misused or misappropriated.
The charges as reported are very serious. We have taken appropriate steps to preserve any evidence which may exist in School District electronic communications facilities, and Mr. Pagliuca has been relieved of his teaching duties pending further developments.
The School District will cooperate fully with law enforcement inquiries.
UPDATE 5:00 PM: Pagliuca appeared this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy at the Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse in White Plains, NY,
McCarthy ordered Pagliucato turn over any electronic devices with Internet access and submit to electronic monitoring. He will be allowed to traveling the Southern and Eastern districts of New York and to travel to New Jersey over the Thanksgiving holiday. He must return to Westchester by 5 p.m. Saturday.
Pagliuca’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 21.