Federal prosecutors say a former southern New Jersey police officer has been charged with obstructing the FBI's investigation of his alleged possession of child pornography.

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Robert Waterman, a 31-year-old Wrightstown resident who served with the Pennsville police force, was due to appear in U.S. District Court in Camden on Wednesday afternoon. It was not clear if he has retained an attorney.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said the FBI began a criminal investigation of Waterman in March 2010. After he was interviewed by federal agents, Fishman said Waterman destroyed a computer hard drive in a bid to impede the FBI's investigation.

If convicted of the obstruction charge, Waterman could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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