NEW YORK (CNN) — They are people children are supposed to trust: A New York Police Department officer, a Fire Department of New York paramedic, a rabbi and a scoutmaster were among more than 70 people arrested in a major child porn bust, a U.S. law enforcement official said Wednesday.
The police officer allegedly used the video chatting service Skype to have women pose their children naked for him, another law enforcement official said.
Another of those arrested — a supervisor with the Transportation Security Administration — allegedly traveled to the Dominican Republic to have sex with children, the official said. He allegedly made more than 50 trips there.
The investigation began as part of an undercover operation into peer-to-peer networks, according to a law enforcement source. The suspects, who do not appear to know one another, were able to search files using graphic terms and descriptions. Software continuously scanned files and automatically uploaded images to personal computers, laptops and mobile phones.
Thousands of pornographic images of children were shared at no charge, the source said. About a third of the suspects remain in custody, and the others were released on bond ranging from $30,000 to $500,000. One of the men arrested was both a den leader and a Little League coach.