By Howard Koplowitz
Matthew Fanning, 44, of 125-10 115th Ave. in South Ozone Park, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, possessing a sexual performance of a child, criminal possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a weapon, Brown said.”These are serious allegations that are particularly shocking because the defendant is a former NYPD officer,” the DA said in a statement.Fanning was arraigned on the charges last Thursday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Fernando Camacho, who set bail at $250,000, Brown said.Fanning made bail but had to give up his passport and was restricted from using the internet as conditions of his release.Police found a cache of weapons under Fanning's sofa, Brown said, including .38- and .22-caliber revolvers, a pistol, an unregistered Storm Ranger rifle and an unregistered 12-gauge shotgun.All of the weapons were loaded and stored under Fanning's sofa, Brown said, and the shotgun and rifle were not registered. About 1,500 rounds of ammunition were also found in the home, he said.Police found three pictures of child pornography on Fanning's America On Line account after authorities executed a search warrant Jan. 28, Brown said.The DA said two of the photos showed children performing sex acts with adults.Police also discovered “several images of child erotica” as part of the investigation, Brown said, where children were partially or fully clothed and put in sexually suggestive poses.Two computers, two ounces of marijuana and a switchblade were taken from Fanning's home as well as three other computers from his girlfriend's house in Rockaway Park, Brown said.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
