A Hampton Bays man was arrested on multiple felony counts related to the possession of child pornography on May 22.
Paul David Allen, 66, faces three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child less than 17 years of age and five counts of possessing sexual performance by a child, which includes sexual conduct by a child less than 16 years of age, both felonies. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of public lewdness.
At 9 a.m. Monday morning, the Southampton Town Police Emergency Services Unit, Southampton Town Police detective division and Suffolk County District Attorney’s office executed a search warrant at his home on King Street in Hampton Bays. Investigators seized computers and cellphones there.
Allen was taken into custody after an extensive investigation by the district attorney’s office and Town Police. According to the Town Police information officer, Sergeant Gina Laferrer, the D.A.’s office received information about the suspected crime toward the end of last year and began an investigation. Town Police were brought in due to the suspect’s residency in the town.
Allen was processed and held overnight for arraignment at Southampton Town Police headquarters. He was subsequently remanded to Suffolk County Jail in Riverside. A grand jury indictment may be on the horizon.
If convicted of one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child, Allen could be sentenced to seven years in prison, a probation term of 10 years and a substantial fine. He would have to register as a sex offender and stay on the registry for 20 years.
