Records: Child porn charges for Towson University officer

A corporal with Towson University Police Department has been arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, court documents state.

Towson University said none of the crimes allegedly committed by Cpl. Peter Publico, 53, were on university property. The Essex resident has been barred from campus, suspended without pay and his law enforcement duties have been revoked, the university said in a statement.

Publico is alleged to have received and distributed child pornography videos through Facebook Messenger, according to charging documents. Facebook reported the account, which appears to belong to Publico, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in February.

A video sent from Publico’s Facebook account appears to depict a young boy engaged in a sexual act with an adult woman, according to a statement of charges.

During an interview with police, Publico confirmed the account belonged to him, according to charging documents. When asked if he has ever received child pornography through Facebook Messenger, Publico told police his cousin in the Philippines sends him “stuff,” according to the statement of charges.

Publico also told police he remembered sending the video to users through Facebook Messenger, court documents state.

But Publico denied wrongdoing when an investigator told Publico he had committed a felony, according to the statement of charges.

Publico is being held at Baltimore County Detention Center, pending a bail review hearing on June 23, according to online court records.

He’s been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor.

Towson University officials said the school was cooperating with the Baltimore County police investigation. David Love, the attorney listed as representing Publico, was not available for comment Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-8872222.