TRENTON
— Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
announced that the former General Counsel
of the Newark Housing Authority has been
charged by the Division of Criminal Justice
with possession of child pornography and
using his government-owned computer to
download and view child pornography.
Vaughn L. McKoy, Director, Division of
Criminal Justice, said that Frank L. Armour,
64, East Hanover Township, Morris County,
was charged via a State Grand Jury indictment
with endangering the welfare of a child
- possession of child pornography (Fourth
Degree). Armour faces up to 18 months
in state prison and a criminal fine of
up to $10,000 upon any conviction.
The indictment alleges that from Jan.
1 - Feb. 28, 2004, Armour, formerly employed
as the General Counsel for the Newark
Housing Authority located at 500 Broad
Street, Newark, utilized his employer-issued
notebook computer to possess and view
more than 50 images of child pornography.
The Newark Housing Authority (NHA) conducted
the initial investigation after receiving
complaints that Armour was allegedly viewing
pornographic images during NHA office
hours. NHA authorities confiscated the
notebook computer and contacted the Division
of Criminal Justice - Computer Analysis
& Technology Unit to conduct the criminal
investigation. Armour retired from the
NHA in mid-2004.
The indictment was handed-up to Mercer
County Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg,
the Supervising Judge of the State Grand
Jury, on Sept. 30. The defendant will
be required to appear in Essex County
Superior Court for arraignment and bail.
An indictment is merely a charge. The
defendant is presumed innocent until proven
guilty in a court of law.
The investigation was coordinated by State
Investigator Ron Szymanski assigned to
the Division of Criminal Justice - Computer
Analysis & Technology Unit. Deputy
Attorney General Mark Murtha presented
the case to the State Grand Jury. Additional
investigative assistance was provided
by the Newark Housing Authority.
Criminal Justice Director McKoy noted
that the Division of Criminal Justice
- Computer Analysis & Technology Unit
employs a team of specially-trained state
investigators and Deputy Attorneys General
to investigate and prosecute individuals
who use technology and computer systems
to commit criminal acts in New Jersey.
As part of their continuing investigative
responsibilities, state investigators
respond to public complaints involving
the possession and distribution of child
pornography via the Internet, as well
as complaints where potential sexual predators
seek to engage juveniles in conversation
with the goal of ultimately luring a targeted
juvenile into a sexual encounter.
“Sexual
predators and others using the Internet
to target juveniles for sexual encounters
or sexual exploitation is an investigative
priority for the Division of Criminal
Justice - Computer Analysis & Technology
Unit,” said Director McKoy. “If
you suspect improper or suspicious use
of computer systems to exploit children,
contact the Division of Criminal Justice
- Computer Analysis & Technology Unit
“Tip Line” at 1-800-396-2310
or log-on to the Division of Criminal
Justice Web page at www.njdcj.org.”