Former Camden County fire chief admits using firehouse computer for child porn

AUDUBON PARK — A former fire chief admitted on Tuesday to using a fire company's computer to share child pornography according to Attorney General Christopher Porrino.

John Terruso, 46, of Marlton, a former chief of the Audubon Park Volunteer Fire Company, pleaded guilty in Superior Court to second-degree distribution of child pornography and third-degree possession of 100 or more files of child pornography.

Deputy Attorney General John Nicodemo said Terruso admitted to using file sharing software to make "multiple copies" of child pornography that were then available in a shared folder that he controlled from the firehouse.

"Distribution of child pornography is an abhorrent crime that promotes and creates a market for the sexual exploitation of innocent children," Attorney General Christopher Porrino said. "By using his position as fire chief to commit these crimes with computer equipment at the firehouse, Terruso betrayed the public and every standard of decency."

Terruso was arrested in June 2015 after a search warrant uncovered more than 1,000 pornographic images on the computer. Porrino said the investigation started after the Department of Homeland Security Investigations division in Newark traced an internet IP address to a computer at the fire station.

"The distribution of child pornography is a global problem with local impact," said acting Special Agent in Charge Brian A. Michael from the Newark office. "To discover that a public servant entrusted with protecting the community was instead engaging in activity that victimizes the most vulnerable members of our society is disturbing."

The images, according to Porrino, included videos of young girls "engaging in sexual acts" with men, and young boys having sex with other boys and men. Investigators determined it was Terruso who had been using the computer to share the images.

"The offenders who share child pornography online come from all walks of life, as this case highlights, but the horrible crime they commit against children remains the same," Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice said.

As part of the plea agreement Porrino said the state will recommend Terruso be sentenced to six years in prison, including three years of parole ineligibility. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and will be subject to lifetime parole supervision. Terruso will also be barred from public office or employment.

Sentencing for Terruso is scheduled for Aug. 25.

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