Former LI Diocese Choir Director Indicted For Child Pornography

Just a week after Bishop John McGann, the late leader of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, was accused of molesting two children, the diocese's cathedral choir director has been indicted on federal charges of possessing child pornography.

Michael Wustrow, the former co-director of the diocese's cathedral, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to documents from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of New York.

Wustrow was removed from his post in the diocese, which was based out of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, when the investigation into him was first announced in September 2017. At that time, the diocese relieved him of his duties and removed all information about him from the St. Agnes website. According to Newsday, he was fired shortly after.

Prosecutors say they found the child pornography on his iPhone. Wustrow was arraigned on Feb. 20 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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.

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.