Cambridge Public Works Superintendent Michael Telford has been accused of having child pornography.
Telford has worked at the Department of Public Works for 18 years and been in the superintendent's role for about 10 years. He appeared in court Friday.
"Mike is a great employee," Cambridge Mayor Carmen Bogle said. "We're actually very shocked right now. It's very sad to see this happening, and then to have it be at the level it's at with the feds involved."
The Cambridge-Greenwich police chief, George Bell, tells Time Warner Cable News the investigation was spearheaded by the NYSP Computer Crimes Department, which was notified child porn went to a computer with an IP address matching Telford's. A scan done Friday morning on his laptop and other electronic devices by investigators found several pornographic pictures and videos of children. There was none on village devices.
"We are a small community," Bell said. "We see each other on a regular basis, so it's a tough thing to do. It's tough for me to be the one to say, 'Mike, we need to arrest you. We have a problem.' "
The chief tells TWC News there are no local victims or individuals involved that investigators can find so far. Telford is on personal leave. Bogle says they will know by Monday what they are going to do as far as any disciplinary action. She says this is an ongoing investigation.
"Because he's civil service and has been with the department for more than five years, there's different rules that apply," Bogle said. "Right now, he's on personal leave for this week until we figure out what's the best course of action to take."
Telford was arraigned Friday morning and is facing two felony charges. There is a possibility of additional charges if this case goes to the federal level. Bell tells TWC News that the Department of Homeland Security is involved.
At this time, Telford has been released on bail, and no future court date is available.