HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A Harris County deputy who was fired after he was accused of releasing obscene material online is also facing additional charges of possession of child pornography.
Sustaita was taken into federal custody on Feb. 9 and had a detention hearing on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to sexual exploitation of child and child pornography.
The government asked he not be released on bail because they said he is a danger to the public, based on the child porn charges.
The six-year veteran, Andrew C. Sustaita Jr., was assigned to the crime control division when he was arrested, investigators said. He was indicted on federal charges of production of child pornography on Feb. 1.
If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years.
“The allegation involves production of obscene material that includes sexual contact with a dog,” said Dane Schiller, a spokesperson for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Sustaita's personal computer was confiscated at the time of his arrest, and investigators found over 21 hundred porn images, 44 videos and investigators believe he produced 59 of them.
Deputies said Susaita’s Harris County account was involved in producing the obscene and illicit material online.
“The possession of obscene and illicit material is made even more troubling when a Sheriff’s Office employee is found to be involved,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “Every resource of this office will be dedicated to protecting the public and holding our employees accountable for wrongdoing.”
Sustaita is charged obscenity, which is a misdemeanor and three felony charges of child pornography, court documents said. He is out of jail on a $10,000 bond.
He is expected in court on Jan. 17.