Retired New York City Police Officer Frank Castro faces up to seven years in prison
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a former New York City police officer was arrested yesterday by DA investigators for possessing child pornography.
Frank Castro, 47, of East Meadow, was arraigned today before District Court Judge Darlene Harris on charges of two counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance (a D felony) and two counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Child (an E felony). Bail was set at $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash on each of the two dockets and the defendant is due back in court on May 6.
Additionally, Judge Harris required that the defendant surrender his pistol license. If convicted of the top count, Castro faces 2-1/3 to seven years in prison.
“Innocent children are the victims of horrific sexual exploitation to produce the pornography that this defendant is accused of possessing,” DA Singas said. “Anyone trafficking child pornography in Nassau County should expect law enforcement to show up at their door.”
DA Singas said that in March and April 2016, investigators from her office observed an individual possessing multiple images of child pornography over the Internet. Investigators tracked the source of the images to Castro’s residence and seized evidence yesterday when the defendant was arrested. DA investigators use sophisticated technology and advanced investigative techniques to identify those who traffic child pornography.
Castro, a retired New York City police officer, currently works as a security contractor.
Assistant District Attorney Melissa Scannell of DA Singas’ Rackets and Enterprise Crime Bureau is prosecuting the case. Castro was represented by Legal Aid at arraignment.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.