Ex-music director at St. Agnes Cathedral indicted on child porn charges

News 12 Long Island
February 26, 2019

https://bit.ly/2Ey24Lf'

A former music director at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre has been indicted on child pornography charges.

Michael Wustrow was under federal investigation in 2017 for possible child exploitation.

A grand jury indicted Wustrow on two counts of child pornography. The U.S. Attorney's Office says there were numerous child pornography images found on Wustrow's iPhone. His work computer was also seized by law enforcement.

Since 1993, the 56-year-old served as a choral director at St. Agnes, where he conducted several choirs, including two separate ones for boys and girls in first and second grades.

Victim advocates are worried about kids with whom he came in contact. Wustrow had contact with hundreds of boy and girls in the choir for decades.

"Parents need to have conversations with their children if they were around this choir director," says Laura Ahearn, of the Crime Victims Center.

Wustrow pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail until a court appearance next month.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre says in a statement:

The Diocese learned of the investigation of Mr. Wustrow after law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized his work computer on September 12, 2017. As soon as we were informed of the investigation, Mr. Wustrow was relieved of all parish and Diocesan duties, and subsequently dismissed. The Diocese and St. Agnes Parish cooperated fully with law enforcement officials at all times. Our priority is the protection of children and young people, as well as keeping our community informed. When we learned that there was an investigation of Mr. Wustrow regarding child exploitation, we provided timely information and outreach assistance to our community.