MAN GETS 90 DAYS IN CHILD-SEX CASE

Brian A. Manzullo, a 48 year old Metropolitan Transit Authority police officer from Ronkonkoma, was arrested in January of 2002 on three counts of sexually abusing a 9 year old girl he was applying to adopt.  He turned himself in and was placed under arrest after a six-week investigation by the Suffolk special victims unit.  The girl was in foster care in Vermont and visited Manzullo and his wife several times in October and November of 2001 as part of the adoption process.  His wife has not been implicated in the allegations.  He was arraigned on three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and one count of possession of child pornography, which was found on his computer.  Bail was set at $45,000 cash or $450,000 bond.  He spent one night in the Suffolk jail before he was released on bail.  He was to return to First District Court for a felony examination hearing.  Manzullo was suspended without pay and was required to turn in his duty and off-duty guns, his shield and identification.

Manzullo pleaded guilty last month to lesser charges of possessing a sexual performance by a child and endangering the welfare of a child.  He was sentenced yesterday in Riverhead to 90 days in jail and 10 years' probation.  In addition for jail and probation time, Suffolk County Court Judge Martin Kerins ordered Manzullo placed in a sex offender program.  Kerins also granted the girl an order of protection that will expire in 2008.  MTA spokesman Tom Kelly said yesterday that Manzullo was suspended when the charges were filed and then terminated after he pleaded guilty.

(New York)