Ex-Howell Schools IT Tech Admits Receiving Child Porn

TRENTON, NJ — An Atlantic County man who worked for the Howell Township School District and was a volunteer assistant marching band director in Brick has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, the U.S. attorney's office announced.

Matthew Wolny, 40, of Egg Harbor Township, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton to one count of receipt of child pornography. Wolny was arrested and charged on June 6, 2018, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.

Wolny, who worked for the Howell schools for 13 years as an information technology specialist, initially was arrested in 2013 by Ocean County authorities, while he lived in Jackson. But in June he was charged by federal authorities in the case.

Authorities said Wolny had 2,000 images and 1,600 videos of child pornography on multiple computers and portable hard drives at hims home, all of which were seized for forfeiture. Authorities also seized three cell phones, according to the federal complaint.

A 2013 Patch report said a .44-caliber handgun also was seized from Wolny, who was arrested after attempting to flee when officers arrived with a search warrant.

Wolny admitted he used a peer-to-peer file sharing software, which he had installed on his computer, to download video files containing images of child sexual abuse from the internet to his computer hard drive.

The charge of receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2019.

Image via U.S. Attorney's Office