CHILD PORN PATROL
Officer from Trenton patrol unit arrested by NJ State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit for child porn possession >>
TRENTON » A veteran city police officer was arrested for possessing child pornography.
Paul Marinelli, 52, was caught after the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit conducted an investigation into Marinelli’s online activity, revealing that the cop was in possession of child pornographic images, state police said Thursday in a statement.
A search warrant was executed on Marinelli’s residence on Wednesday by members of the Digital Technology Investigations Unit, K-9, TEAMS Central, and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities said.
As a result of the search, “multiple electronic devices were seized” as part of the investigation and will be “subject to further examination,” police said.
Marinelli was in court on Thursday and pleaded “not guilty” to the child pornography offense, his attorney, David Schroth, said Thursday night.
Schroth, who is also a Ewing councilman, called his client a “good man” and “good person.”
“He’s been a good police officer for more than 20 years,” the attorney said. “He’s served our country in Desert Storm and as a veteran who was honorably discharged, these allegations are certainly very unfortunate and I certainly intend to defend him aggressively and make sure this case works out.”
Trenton police spokesman Lt. Stephen Varn said Thursday that Marinelli has been suspended pending further investigation. Varn declined further comment, stating the matter is a personnel issue.
Marinelli, who earned an annual salary of $102,900 last year, started working on the force in 1995. He was assigned to the patrol unit.
Some Trenton officers who spoke to The Trentonian on the condition of anonymity expressed shock that Marinelli was arrested, calling him a normal guy.
Marinelli was charged with possession of child pornography and sent to Middlesex County Jail, police said.
However, Schroth said his client was released on his own recognizance on Thursday without needing to post any bail.
Asked if the case will go to trial, Schroth, who was retained in the past 24 hours, said, “It’s too early to tell.”
“Obviously, from my perspective, we’re in the earliest stages and we have a long road ahead of us,” the attorney said. “I haven’t seen the evidence. I haven’t spent enough time with Paul at this point to evaluate all of our defenses and the evidence against him.”
The case will be prosecuted by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.