Rodney Pipino - Possession of Child Pornography

"The stuff on Pipino's computer would make
the most deviant sex offender
sick to his stomach"

A 47-year-old city man who resides in close proximity to a local elementary school was arrested Thursday on child porn charges, police said.

Rodney Pipino, of 31 Row B Way, was arrested at Oakwood Cemetery, where he works as a groundskeeper, and was charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child, a felony, after an investigation by city police and the State Police Computer Crime Unit uncovered a large amount of child pornography at his home.

Pipino's residence sits less than one mile away from the Turnpike Elementary School, located at 55 New Turnpike Road, according to Troy Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Dean.

Troy police detectives and State Police investigators served a search warrant at Pipino's home Wednesday, where they seized a number of his possessions including computers and other related items.

"The stuff on Pipino's computer would make the most deviant sex offender sick to his stomach," said Dean.

While there are no allegations that Pipino has abused any children in the area, police have asked that Pipino's neighbors and local parents speak to their children to find out if they had any suspect contact with him and are prepared to make referrals to child abuse experts in the area if needed.

Anyone with further information regarding children that have been in contact with Pipino is asked to contact Troy detectives at 270-4426.

During his arraignment under city Police Court Judge Christopher Maier, Pipino said that he had lived in the city for about six years and that he had family in the area.

Maier ultimately remanded Pipino to the Rensselaer County Jail on $5,000 bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing on his charge for Sept. 16.

Before moving to Troy, Pipino was enlisted in the Navy for 21 years and lived in various places around the world including Japan and California during his service.

Dean noted that the 30-day investigation into Pipino would not have been successful without the help of the State Police Computer Crime Unit due to their dedication, assistance, and expertise in assisting local departments through similar investigations.

"It's alarming that this behavior occurs at all, let alone at the edge of school property, but it is our greatest hope that investigations like these will ultimately save a child from the horrors that people like Pipino find so appealing," said Dean.