Child Porn Charges Filed Against Philly Police Officer

Philadelphia PA

22 October, 2021

9:23 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Police officer has been federally charged with child pornography crimes, authorities said. Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said William Watts Sr., 55, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged for transportation and possession of child pornography, arising from his transmission over the internet of images of children being sexually abused. Watts is accused of downloading multiple files of child pornography from the internet application "WhatsApp," including depictions of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts, some with adults. Watts was arrested Thursday morning after the FBI executed a federal search warrant at his home. He is making his first appearance in federal court Friday and a pretrial detention and probable cause hearing will be scheduled for next week. During the time of the charged offenses, Watts was employed as a Philadelphia Police Officer. If convicted, Watts faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison.