Simmons College Professor Arrested for Child Pornography

A professor at a Boston college was arrested on numerous counts of child pornography and endangering the welfare of a child after police in two communities uncovered communications between her and a man about sex with young children.

Alyssa Azotea, 37, of Concord, NH, was arrested on Aug. 28, 2015, and charged with four felony counts of computer pornography prohibited and three charges of endangering the welfare of a child/incompetent.

According to police, earlier this month, detectives were informed about an investigation involving David Pelusi, 46, of Depot Road in Hollis, NH, and Azotea by the Hollis Police Department.

Detectives in that department “became aware of computer exchanges between Azotea and Pelusi referencing communications about having sex with young children, including sex with a child known to Mr. Pelusi,” according to Lt. Timothy O’Malley, the commander of the criminal investigations unit in Concord.

On Aug. 22, 2015, Hollis Police arrested Pelusi for possession of child pornography and exchanging messages via computer regarding conduct with children.

Detectives in Concord investigated the matter and allegedly recovered conversations about sexual fantasies between Azotea and Pelusi.

“These fantasies included conversations about sex with children as young as 5-years-old,” O’Malley stated. “It is alleged that Azotea told Pelusi that he should allow himself to become aroused by young girls that he sees in public and that he should then report back to her.”

Police also alleged that Azotea sent photos of children she knew and directed him to think about the children in a sexual manner. The pictures of the children were clothed, according to police.

“It is alleged that during these conversations Azotea discusses how they (Azotea and Pelusi) may eventually be living together,” O’Malley alleged. “She discussed that when this occurs, he could act out these fantasies on the children in question.”

The conversations took place between Aug. 16, and Aug. 22, 2015.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, information released to the press was limited. However, O’Malley stated in an interview that none of the children that live near Azotea are in any danger.

“The kids in question did not include neighbor’s children,” O’Malley said. “We know who they are and the public is not in an immediate danger.”

Azotea was arrested and held on $11,000 cash bail. She was scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

According to LinkedIn, Azotea has been a professor at Simmons College for about four years. Previously, she taught at Franklin Pierce University for about five and a half years.

Simmons College said in a statement emailed to Patch that Azotea, who is a part-time faculty member, has been put on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation, per the school’s employment policy. The college confirmed that she has been working at the school since 2011 and added, ”The charges, if true, would be deeply disturbing.”

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.