Former Ripley police officer pleads guilty to child porn charge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former Ripley police officer could be heading to prison when sentenced later this year on child porn charges.

According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s Office, George Michael Puskas II, 31, of Ripley, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Charleston to possession of child pornography.

The release stated that in March 2010 Puskas established a sexual relationship with a then 16-year-old minor. While in the relationship, he images and a video of the minor having sex or performing sex acts.

According to the release, Puskas possessed between 10 and 150 images of child pornography on September 7, 2011.

On April 6, 2012, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a federal search warrant and seized a computer, a flash drive, and other items that Puskas used to produce child pornography, the released stated. 

Puskas admitted to police that he produced and possessed images of child pornography as well as had a relationship with the minor up until she turned 18 years old.

Puskas was employed as a police officer with the Ripley Police Department from June 2008 until May 2012. He resigned from the department in May 2012.

Puskas faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on October 1, 2013.