School staffer accused of child porn - Lebanon Boro man an aide at Phillipsburg Middle School

Source: Bridgewater Courier News
11/15/2007

By WALTER O'BRIEN
STAFF WRITER

A Lebanon Borough resident employed as a teacher's aide at Phillipsburg Middle School has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.

James Leonarczyk, 40, of 9 Kelly Court, was arrested Friday by detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes Unit after local authorities received information from the Rhode Island State Police.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief Dan Hurley said detectives who went to Leonarczyk's house with a search warrant confiscated computer equipment and storage media that was found to hold child pornography.

Hurley said officials with the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory at the New Jersey State Police Technical Center in Hamilton examined the equipment.

"It does not appear that any children had been victimized at the school," Hurley said. "But any persons who victimize defenseless children are always a top priority of the HCPO Sex Crimes Unit."

Jacqueline Attinello, assistant superintendent of the Phillipsburg School District, confirmed that Leonarczyk had worked at the middle school as a teacher's aide since September 2004 but could neither confirm nor deny if any children were affected.

"It's a personnel matter, so I can't comment," Attinello said. "He is not on duty in the school district at this moment. He did not report to work on Monday and hasn't been in since."

She said school officials learned about the arrest during the weekend but referred all other questions to the prosecutor's office.

"It is early," Hurley said Wednesday. "A team of detectives is continuing the investigation, and there is the possibility of additional charges. This was an excellent investigation so far, showing cooperation between state and local law enforcement."

Walter O'Brien can be reached at (908) 707-3163 or wobrien@gannett.com.

[Bridgewater Courier News ]