Police: Disabled Mans Sex Abuse Suspect Had Child Porn, WBAL, May 27, 2011

Police: Disabled Man's Sex Abuse Suspect Had Child Porn

WBAL
May 27, 2011

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/28036316/detail.html

[with video]

PARKVILLE, Md. -- A man accused of abusing a developmentally disabled man also faces accusations of distribution child pornography, according to police.

Baltimore County police arrested Tony Chestnut, 56, of Parkville, charging him Thursday with possession and distribution of child pornography and sex abuse offenses.

Tony Chestnut

Police said they searched Chestnut's house on Halstead Road -- blocks away from an elementary school -- after receiving information that he possessed child pornography. Detectives said they found at Chestnut's house a large number of pornographic videos involving children.

According to charging documents, Chestnut confessed to knowingly searching for, possessing and distributing the material.

Detectives said they also found a videotape that they said showed the sexual assault of a 51-year-old man with special needs. Police said the evidence led them to a house on Conduit Street to question a coworker of Chestnut.

"The suspect in this case was actually abusing vulnerable adults, specifically those left in his care as a result of his employment," Baltimore County police Lt. Robert McCollough said.

Police said Chestnut was employed with Associated Catholic Charities as a caregiver at a group home in Towson, responsible for three developmentally disabled adult men. The victim was later identified as someone that Chestnut had contact with while he was employed there.

According to charging documents, Chestnut told police that he chose the victim because he was the most vulnerable and could not talk. According to police, the alleged sex abuse took place approximately five times over recent years on Conduit Street and at Chestnut's house in Parkville, where Chestnut lived with his wife and their disabled adult daughter.

"(It's) hard to believe. I cannot believe it. It's devastating. It's unreal. Seems like it's a movie and a nightmare. I can't believe he did what they're accusing him of doing," said Barbara McAllister, a neighbor. "He's a great guy. There's nothing he wouldn't do for his neighbors, whether it's cut their grass or shovel their snow. He's always out there for the seniors."

Catholic Charities released a statement, saying they were notified Wednesday "of the arrest of an employee for allegations of sexual misconduct. That person has been suspended pending an administrative review. As this is now an ongoing police matter, we do not have any more information to share."