Long Island Teacher Charged With Having Child Pornography

A teacher at Massapequa High School was arrested on Monday and charged with possession of child pornography after law enforcement officials say they found hundreds of images and videos on his Google account and on devices in his home.

Joseph Zanco, 43, of Massapequa, was charged with transportation and possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of five years in jail and a maximum of up to 20 years. Zanco is a physics teacher at the high school. He was released on $300,000 bond, but he is on house arrest and is not allowed to use the internet.

“As alleged, Zanco possessed and transported hundreds of images of child pornography, crimes that contribute to the victimization of minor children, while he was employed in a position of trust as a teacher,” said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. “The protection of innocent children is a priority for this Office and our law enforcement partners. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that those who contribute to the victimization of children will be brought to justice.”

According to prosecutors, on April 13, Zanco began uploading hundreds of images of child pornography to his Google Drive account. Google flagged the uploads, suspended Zanco's account and notified law enforcement, officials say. This prompted law enforcement to secure a warrant for Zanco's Google account and his home. Officials say they found child pornography on his Google account, as well as more pictures and videos on a cell phone and laptop in his home.

“This case is particularly troubling because the defendant allegedly committed these crimes while employed as a teacher,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent-in-Charge Angel Melendez. “HSI actively works with our law enforcement partners in the shared fight against those who are engaged in the spread of this content, especially those who have been entrusted with the education of our youth.”

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