CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A former Chester police officer was charged with possessing child sex abuse materials after an investigation into his abuse of power revealed the alleged crime.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said former officer Leon Paparo was initially being investigated for his misuse of his access to the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET). It’s an online tool used by law enforcement to get access to crucial criminal justice and public safety information.
“Do not abuse the JNET system. Do not look up people that you might be friends with,” said Rouse. “It appears as though he was utilizing his capabilities as an officer to kind of creep on women that worked in this office and various other people that he never should have been looking. That is a crime in and of itself.”
Rouse said their investigation found that Paparo also searched for his former ex-girlfriends and a 15-year-old girl who used to babysit for him, and who he was once accused of having inappropriate contact with.
“He had actually managed to obtain some sort of compromising illicit photos of her,” he said.
A subsequent search of Paparo’s phone found child sex abuse material.
“This is a betrayal. It is a crime. It is something that we are going to take seriously and that’s why he’s in jail currently,” said Rouse.
Paparo is now facing more than 100 counts on numerous charges, including the possession of child sex abuse material.
His bail is 10% of $500,000.
