Busted In Acadiana

A former police officer who has been under investigation for child pornography for several months has been arrested.

George Puskas, 31, was arrested Thursday night by U.S. Marshals.

He resigned from the Ripley Police Department in May 2012 amidst an investigation alleging he had child pornography in his possession, according to the Ripley Police Chief. He was also accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl from 2010 to 2011.

Mayor Carolyn Rader says while this has been a black eye for the department and the town, she feels for Puskas’s family.

“We think of his wife and baby at home,” she said. “When you live in a small community, and everyone knows everyone else, the whole situation is just sad.”

Coincidentally, two new Ripley officers were sworn in Friday night.

Chief R.L. Fridley says this is a strong lesson for them that actions have consequences.

“We’re not going to tolerate officers committing these kinds of acts,” he said.

Puskas is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography and one count of accepting child pornography. They are all federal charges.

Puskas is accused of filming sexual acts with the teenager and sending them to others to watch, according to court documents.

Investigators say hundreds of videos and photographs were found on his computer.

Puskas is expected in court on Jan. 15.