The Island Trees Memorial Middle School teacher arrested in June on federal charges of downloading videos of child pornography was indicted July 14.
U.S. District Court documents revealed that Richard Hartig, 43, using the computer screen name, “Skyper,” “intentionally received visual depictions…involving the use of one or more minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct” between October 2008 and June 2009. Hartig was caught after undercover FBI officials discovered him in an Internet chat room for child pornography.
At the indictment, he pleaded not guilty to six counts of distributing and possessing child pornography.
Hartig lived in a basement apartment in Lindenhurst and has been a science teacher at ITMMS for the last 15 years.
“As of now, he is considered on ‘unauthorized leave,’” explained Interim Superintendent of Island Trees Schools Jim Parla. “If he is released from jail prior to the final disposition of his case, my recommendation would be immediate suspension.”
According to Robert Nardoza of the United States Department of Justice, the case against Hartig is pending.
“We cannot comment on the specifics of the case,” he added. “He is currently being held without bail.”
Nardoza said Hartig’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 26.
Hartig is being represented by Anthony Colleluori of Anthony J. Colleluori & Associates in Woodbury.
“The case is a complicated one with a lot of issues,” Colleluori said. “At this point in time we are working very hard on behalf of Mr. Hartig.”
