Phoenix police officer charged with receiving and possessing child pornography
Federal authorities arrested a Phoenix police officer on Friday on suspicion of receiving and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.
Federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday that 41-year-old Alaa Bartley was arrested on one count of knowingly receiving child pornography and one count of knowingly possessing child pornography.
Officials say Bartley communicated with a woman between August 2020 and February 2022 with whom he shared a sexual interest in children. Bartley apparently used a fake name with the woman, yet identified himself as a police officer and showed his face to her.
Officials said the woman was charged separately in Michigan.
Knowingly receiving child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, along with a fine of up to $250,000. Knowingly possessing child pornography has a maximum sentence of 10 years unless the child is under the age of 12, in which case the maximum sentence is 20 years.
Details regarding when Bartley's next court date would be were not immediately available.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police officer charged with receiving and possessing child pornography
