By Michael Lanza
An Ozone Park disc jockey was arraigned on charges of promoting and possessing child pornography last Tuesday at the Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens.
Dominick Guerra, 29, allegedly admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography over Limewire, an internet file-sharing program, according to a written statement obtained by detectives before his arrest. The wedding DJ allegedly obtained numerous videos, including an instructional video offering advice and methods for sexually molesting children.
"The charges are very disturbing. There is a national connection to this case which frighteningly shows the far reach of the Internet in dispensing child pornography. It is imperative that we vigorously prosecute this case so that our children remain safe from predators who share information to carry out their depraved acts," Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said.
Guerra is pleading not guilty, Peter E. Brill, Guerra's defense attorney, said.
"We think the D.A. will realize the charges are not appropriate," he said.
Brill said he believes his client may have downloaded the materials without realizing it, adding that it was important to verify whether Guerra intended to download the pornographic videos before passing judgment.
"The knee jerk reaction in these kinds of cases is to assume the worst." Brill said. "When all the facts come out it'll be clear it isn't how things actually happened."
The explicit videos in question allegedly showed adult men molesting children, including one involving a 4-year old girl, according to the district attorney's report. Police in Wheaton, Ill. allegedly traced two child pornography videos, being shared on Limewire, to Guerra's home in February before referring the case to local authorities.
Detectives with the New York City Police Department's Computer Crime Squad arrested Guerra and executed search warrants at his home last Monday, where they confiscated a desktop computer from Guerra's bedroom, two laptops and several external storage devices, according to the district attorney's report.
It is unknown at this time whether the confiscated computers contained the child porn videos.
Guerra was held on $100,000 bail until his next court appearance on May 1.
Guerra faces up to 7-years in prison if convicted.
