DCF Social Worker From Hamden Arrested On Child Porn Charge: UPDATE

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden man is accused of possessing child pornography, according to police. The arrest stems from an investigation that began in 2015, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said Officer Shawn Nutcher of the Hamden Police Department Computer Crimes Unit conducted an investigation in February 2015 regarding child pornography. Computer equipment was earlier seized by Hamden Police from the residence of Luis Rivas-Vasquez, of Willow Street in Hamden, according to Smith. (To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Smith said a forensic examination led to the discovery of 13 movie files of suspected child pornography and an arrest warrant was issued for Rivas-Vasquez.

Rivas-Vasquez, 56, turned himself in at Hamden Police Headquarters on May 31. He was charged with possession of child pornography.

Rivas-Vasquez was a social worker with the state Department of Children and Families but officials said that once they found out about the arrest, they took “immediate action” to ensure is he no longer on the job, according to NBC Connecticut.

In a statement to NBC Connecticut, DCF officials said his state computer was seized and will be made available to law enforcement. Officials also said that “although we have not received complaints regarding his treatment of children in the course of his work, we nevertheless are conducting a full assessment of that question,” via NBC Connecticut.

Rivas-Vasquez, who was released after posting a $35,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on June 14.

Read more at NBC Connecticut here.

Pictured: Luis Rivas-Vasquez, 56, of Hamden/ via the Hamden Police Department