Police: Michael Chiarelli, of Blue Point, charged with possessing child porn after tips to hotlines

Tips to two exploited children hotlines led to the arrest earlier this week of a Blue Point man on child pornography charges, police said.

Suffolk County police said Michael Chiarelli, 25, was arrested Monday, charged with two felonies — promoting a sexual performance by a child and with possessing a sexual performance by a child under age 16.

He pleaded not guilty at arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip. Bail was set at $75,000 cash, $150,000 insured bond or $750,000 partially secured surety bond, according to online court records. He is represented by Suffolk Legal Aid Society, records show.

Police said the investigation was launched after Digital Forensics Unit detectives were relayed information about tips placed to the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Although it was not immediately clear when the tips were received, police said they led to the execution of a search warrant on Monday at the Division Avenue home of Chiarelli.

During the search, police said investigators found "pornographic images depicting children" on electronic devices recovered on site.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the case contact the Digital Forensics Unit at 631-852-6572. All calls with remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”