Former Diocese Choir Director Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Charges

Michael Wustrow, the former musical director and leader of the choir at St. Agnes Cathedral, pleaded guilty today to receiving child pornography.

Wustrow, 56, of Freeport, faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.

“The Eastern District will continue to bring to justice those like Wustrow who contribute to the victimization of innocent children,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue.

On Sept. 11, 2017, Donoghue said that multiple images of child pornography were found on Wustrow's phone. Among the images was a picture of a toddler being abused by an adult man, which Wustrow received through the messaging app Kik.

Through the app, Wustrow claimed to have had sex with a teenage boy and said that he wanted to sexually abuse a 12- or 13-year-old boy.

Wustrow has been in jail since his arrest on Feb. 20.

Wustrow, who served as the co-director of music for St. Agnes Parish, came to the church in 1993. He was a choir director and organist for many of the choir groups at the parish and was also musically involved in diocesan events, according to the parish's website.

He was removed from his post at the parish in 2017 when the FBI launched an investigation into him for possible child exploitation.

"From the time the Diocese of Rockville Centre and the Parish of Saint Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre, learned from law enforcement of the investigation of Michael Wustrow regarding possible charges of child exploitation, which was the first time the diocese and the parish had heard of the allegations, full cooperation was provided to law enforcement officials," said diocesan spokesman Sean Dollan. "Mr. Wustrow was immediately relieved of all diocesan and parish duties, and his employment terminated shortly thereafter.

"The diocese and the Parish of St. Agnes are confident in the process that has resulted in Mr. Wustrow’s guilty plea," Dolan continued. "We understand from law enforcement that the underlying investigation did not reveal that any children from the parish or the diocese were victims of Mr. Wustrow’s criminal activities."

The parish's website says that he conducted two 70-voice girls' choirs and a 50-voice mixed choir for children in grades 1 and 2. He also conducted the Senior Girls Choir for grades 6 through 8.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre encompasses all of Long Island, with 133 parishes in 115 towns. It is the eighth-largest diocese in the country, serving nearly 1.5 million Catholics.