NY Firefighter Charged with Possession, Distributing Child Pornography
A Rochester firefighter has been charged with child pornography following an extensive federal investigation.
Firefighter Brett Marrapese, 31, was suspended with pay after the FBI raided Engine 3 fire station earlier this month, WROC reported.
He is accused of contacting more than 100 minors posing as a teen and convinced them to send him images or videos. The victims ranged from toddlers to 12.
Investigators searched Marrapese’s home, camper, person, and locker at the fire department. On his cell phone, they recovered 1,393 images and 121 videos of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported.
In January 2016 and November 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received tips that an individual in Rochester, NY, was allegedly uploading child pornography online.
The New York State Police investigated traced the IP addresses to “Committee Rochester FD 2%,” which was associated with the Rochester Fire Department.
State police interviewed several fire department personnel including Marrapese.
Earlier this month, the FBI seized multiple digital devices, including a cellular phone, that is believed to have been involved in the previous probes.
The union issued the following statement after his arrest: “Local 1071 is aware of the very serious and disturbing charges filed against Brett Marrapese today. However, IAFF Local 1071 does not have any further information beyond what has already been made public, as the union does not have any role in, or involvement with, the criminal case.”
