Investigator from East Meadow found guilty of possessing child porn

Fernando Clarke, an East Meadow resident and investigator with the New York City Correction Department, was founded guilty on March 5 for the possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to a federal jury in Central Islip, the 64-year old man downloaded video files of the sexual abuse of preteen children, which he kept on computer equipment in his home.

Clarke asserted that he was downloading child pornography to fulfill his duty as an investigator. However, after a court-ordered search of his home on July 28, 2015, he admitted that this was not true. He was arrested that day and suspended from the Corrections Department.

“As a sworn law enforcement officer, Clarke had a mandatory obligation to report child abuse,” United States Attorney Donoghue said in a press 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.”

“It is unfathomable that anyone, especially someone working in law enforcement, could be capable of such an act,” added Angel Melendez, the special agent-in-charge for Homeland Security Investigations.

Clarke remains in custody and will be sentenced on April 13 to a minimum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.