Former Cobb County deputy Peter Bilardello has been arraigned on federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography. Bilardello was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 25, 2022.
“Bilardello allegedly shared child pornography through social media while he was employed as a law enforcement officer,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The victimization of children is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, and distributing images of child sexual abuse compounds the harm. It is especially troubling that these crimes were allegedly committed by someone in a position of public trust.”
According to Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court, in November 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report that a MeWe social media user had allegedly uploaded and shared about 12 images depicting children under 12 years old in sexually explicit conduct. The agency provided that information to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who determined that the account user was likely located in Marietta, Georgia. The GBI then referred the information to the Cobb County Police Department.
On August 10, 2021, The Cobb County Police determined that the MeWe account user was Peter Bilardello, who at the time was a Cobb County Deputy Sheriff. He had been employed by Cobb County for more than 15 years. For part of that time, Bilardello worked in the Sex Offender Unit of the Sheriff’s Office.
Cobb County Police obtained and executed search warrants for the MeWe account, as well as Bilardello’s home and cell phone, and confirmed that Bilardello had uploaded and shared child pornography while chatting with other users.
According to MeWe spokesman David Westreich, Bilardello’s account was removed from the service and reported to authorities.
“MeWe has a strong Terms of Service that prohibits illegal activity of any kind. MeWe is vigilant about this issue and we have an outstanding Trust and Safety Team that works hard every day to proactively investigate and take action against TOS-violaters. Illegal activity is reported to law enforcement at MeWe’s discretion, and law enforcement can follow procedures in our terms to request information from us,” Westreich said.
Investigators also recovered more than 100 images and videos depicting young children in sexually explicit conduct. Bilardello was immediately arrested and resigned from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.
“Every time pornographic images are distributed online, that child is continuously re-victimized”, said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will not tolerate predators who prey on our children, especially ones like Bilardello, who are sworn law enforcement officers that took an oath to protect the citizens of our community.”
Peter Bilardello, 51, of Marietta, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand.
“The Cobb County Police Department is committed to investigating all crimes committed against the members of our various communities. But when it comes to crimes perpetrated against children, the men and women of our Special Victims Unit are the most dedicated and diligent in law enforcement. Our SVU investigators are committed to being the voices for the voiceless and fully investigating the most heinous acts committed against defenseless children,” said Cobb County Police Department Interim Chief Stuart VanHoozer.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cobb County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise K. Peters is prosecuting the case.
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