Steven Baryla (FACEBOOK) |
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (WPIX)—
The leader of a faith-based New Jersey military academy for children is facing child pornography charges, PIX News has learned.Steven Baryla, President of the Cedar Bridge Military Academy in Toms River, has been charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, according to prosecutors. The school serves children ages 11 to 17 and provides them with an adventure and military based training experience in both a summer and year-round camp program.
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office began a probe into Baryla's dealings after receiving a tip from someone who had been in e-mail contact with him.
"Ultimately, police sought and obtained a search warrant for the business premises of Mr. Baryla, the Cedar Bridge Military Academy," explained Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford in a statement obtained by PIX News. "Yesterday, the search warrant was executed and law enforcement seized physical and electronic evidence which established probable cause for filing the charges in question."
Officials said Baryla is free on $200,000 bail, but as part of a court order must stay away from children under the age of 18 and is not allowed to access the internet.
PIX News made several attempts to seek comment from Cedar Bridge Military Academy Wednesday, but phone calls were not immediately returned.
