Child porn suspect met arresting cops with loaded gun, prosecutor says

JACKSON — A paramedic and former Boy Scout executive confronted police with a loaded gun when they forced their way into his home to arrest him for child pornography, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said when police went to the home of 29-year-old Anthony Marano to execute a search warrant they could see him going from the living room to the bedroom of the home, rather than coming to the door to allow officers into the house. Coronato said the officers forced their way into the home where they saw Marano coming out of the bedroom with a gun in his hand.

Coronato said officers at the scene showed "great use of force restraint," and eventually convinced Marano to put down the gun. After Marano put the gun down, Coronato said, police secured the weapon and found it had a round in the chamber.

According to Coronato, Marano was arrested after an investigation by the High Tech Crime Unit and other law enforcement entities that started in December of last year. He at that time said investigators "were unable to substantiate the alleged activity due to covert cyber measures taken by Marano."

The investigation continued with the help of the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force, according to Coronato. After executing the search warrant, police found "numerous images of child pornography," according to Cornato.

Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said Marano is a paramedic for Virtua Health and MONOC. He is also a member of the Jackson Township Zoning Board. According to his Facebook page, he is the Operations Manager at MONOC, as well as an EMS Supervisor at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Jeff Behm, Chief Operating Officer for MONOC, said after being notified of Marano's arrest and the charges, he was suspended without pay.

A spokesperson for Great Adventure confirmed Marano's employment with company. Citing a "zero tolerance for any unlawful behavior," the spokesperson said Marano has been suspended from that job as well.

As recently as last year, he was the vice president of the Jackson First Aid Squad, and according to his Facebook page served as a district axecutive for the Boy Scouts of America from January of 2010 until November of 2011.

Marano was charged with third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of child pornography, and second-degree distribution of child pornography. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail pending a first court appearance.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com