MORRIS COUNTY

Morris County worker charged with possessing child porn

Peggy Wright
@PeggyWrightDR

MORRISTOWN - An 11-year employee of the Morris County Board of Elections has been suspended from his job following his arrest Saturday for endangering the welfare of a child by possessing and viewing child pornography.

In front left, Morris County Board of Elections employee Anthony DeSimone

Anthony P. DeSimone, 73, of Morris Twp., was charged Saturday by a Morris County Prosecutor's Office detective with endangering the welfare of a child between January 2010 and Sept. 15 of this year by knowingly possessing or viewing photographs, computer programs or files "or any other reproduction or reconstruction which depicts a child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act, including on the Internet."

The endangerment charge is a fourth-degree offense, punishable upon conviction by up to 18 months in prison.  DeSimone also is charged with possessing 50 grams or less of marijuana in Morris Township on Dec. 12, the day of his arrest.

DeSimone was released into his own custody and will be given a date to appear in the future in Superior Court, Morristown.  Defense lawyer Stephen "Skippy" Weinstein said that he has not yet been given any information about the charges.

"I will wait and see what discovery information the state provides," Weinstein said. Authorities have not said how the investigation began, nor whether DeSimone is suspected of viewing child pornography on the job.

County officials said that DeSimone's work computer in the county Board of Elections office in Morristown was taken during the execution of a search warrant over the weekend. DeSimone, who was involved in the training of poll workers, has worked for the board of elections since Aug. 16, 2004.  His current salary is $38,398.

  Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.