Pre-trial Conference For Fanelli in Child Porn Case

A pre-trial conference is scheduled today in White Plains in the case of Brian Fanelli, the former Mount Pleasant Police Chief charged with possession of child pornography.

Fanelli was arrested by Homeland Security agents Jan. 23 at his residence in Mahopac, NY.

According to the criminal complaint, from at least as early as October 2013, through in or about January 2014, he used a Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Program to download more than 120 files containing images and videos believed to be child pornography and made those files available to other P2P Network users through his computer’s shared folder on the P2P Network program.

Some of those users were undercover federal agents.

According to the complaint, Fanelli voluntarily told DHS agents, among other things, that he had taught sexual abuse awareness classes to elementary and middle school-age students for more than a year, and that back in 2013 he began viewing child pornography from his home using the P2P Network – at first as research for the classes he was teaching, but shortly thereafter for personal interest.

If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.