Police have apprehended a local sex offender on charges related to child pornography. The arrest of Salvatore Passarelli Jr., a 36-year-old Bay Shore resident and registered Level 1 sex offender, came as a result of collaborative efforts between the Suffolk County Police Digital Forensics Unit, the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Acting on critical information, detectives along with Canine Section and Third Precinct officers, executed a search warrant at Passarelli’s residence, located at 1075 Old Neck Road, on February 29. The operation led to the seizure of numerous electronic devices, which upon examination, were found to contain images featuring child pornography. Additionally, investigators discovered multiple unregistered screen names and internet identifiers used by Passarelli.
Passarelli is facing felony charges, including promoting a sexual performance by a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child, and two counts of sex offender registry violations. He was taken into custody on March 6, at 7:45 p.m., and held overnight at the Third Precinct. His arraignment is scheduled for March 7 at the First District Court in Central Islip.
The Suffolk County Police Department encourages anyone with information related to this case to reach out to the Digital Forensics Unit at 631-852-6279.