Police: Teacher's aide had child porn Man turns himself in. Images reportedly on home computer. Thursday, November 15, 2007 • By TOM QUIGLEY • The Express-Times FLEMINGTON | A teacher's aide at Phillipsburg Middle School is charged with possession of child pornography after about 50 images were allegedly recovered during a search of his home and car. James Leonarczyk, 39, of the first block of Kelly Court, Lebanon, was arrested Friday after turning himself in, according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office. Investigators found about 50 child-pornography images after searching through two computers and eight zip disks seized during an Oct. 24 search of Leonarczyk's home and vehicle, a court document shows. Hunterdon County investigators turned the disks and computers over to the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory in Hamilton Township, N.J. Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Detective Robin A. Morante was present at the lab Nov. 2 to view the 50 or so images allegedly found on a Fuji 100 megabyte zip disk seized during the search. The detective provided a graphic description of two photos of the same boy in a probable cause affidavit. She estimated the child's age at between 4 and 8. Over the course of a recent six-week investigation Hunterdon County investigators developed information that Leonarczyk bought inappropriate images of children on eBay from an adult bookstore worker in Monroe Township, Gloucester County, who was charged with possession of child pornography on Oct. 22, authorities said. No search warrant was executed at the school. Dan Hurley, deputy chief of detectives for the prosecutor's office, said Leonarczyk might have had access to computers at the middle school. He said school authorities are fully cooperating with that aspect of the investigation. School takes swift action "At this point in time, there is no evidence of any students at Phillipsburg Middle School being victimized," Hurley said. "The investigation is continuing, and there is the possibility of additional charges. Detectives intend to conduct further interviews." Phillipsburg School Board President Paul Rummerfield said school officials learned of the arrest Friday. Leonarczyk was placed on paid leave Monday, he added. "As soon as it was brought to our attention, we acted quickly and put him on leave, and now we're waiting for the outcome of the prosecutor's investigation," Rummerfield said. Hurley said the investigation began after receiving information from the Rhode Island State Police. Leonarczyk's name came up as a possible recipient of child pornography sent by a Rhode Island child porn suspect, Hurley said. Hurley said the information from Rhode Island led detectives in Hunterdon County to build a case against Leonarczyk. "Those persons who decide to break the law by victimizing defenseless children by either distributing or possessing child pornography will always remain a top priority of the detectives assigned to the sex crimes unit," Hurley said. Clean record in N.J., Pa. Leonarczyk has no prior criminal convictions in New Jersey. Before moving to Lebanon -- where he lives with his parents -- Leonarczyk lived at three addresses in Lower Merion Township, Pa., outside Philadelphia. A criminal records check showed no convictions in Philadelphia, Chester or Montgomery counties. The checks went back to 2005. Leonarczyk is free on his own recognizance. Authorities in Hunterdon County charged him with fourth-degree possession of child pornography. Phillipsburg School District Assistant Superintendent Jackie Attinello said counselors are available for any students who may have questions about the arrest. Leonarczyk was hired by the district in August 2004 and began working the following month. Attinello declined comment when asked for details about Leonarczyk's responsibilities at the school. She said Leonarczyk had at least the 48 college credit minimum required of teachers' aides hired by the school, and he underwent a criminal background check as required by law. Leonarczyk's annual salary is $19,209. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday. "I don't want to speak to you about this at all," said Rita Leonarczyk, his mother. Authorities said Leonarczyk obtained an attorney. Reporter Tom Quigley can be reached at 908-475-8184 or by e-mail at tquigley@express-times.com. The Newark Star-Ledger contributed to this report.