David Chang

Ventnor City Employee Accused of Sharing Child Porn Through Instagram

Mark McGurk, Jr., 25, of Ventnor City, was arrested Thursday and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

What to Know

  • Mark McGurk, Jr., 25, of Ventnor City, was arrested Thursday and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
  • Investigators say McGurk shared the child porn through Instagram.
  • McGurk was a laborer with Ventnor’s public works department. He was suspended without pay.

A Ventnor City employee was arrested after he allegedly shared child pornography through Instagram.

Mark McGurk, Jr., 25, of Ventnor City, New Jersey, was arrested Thursday and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

The investigation began in January when police received a tip reporting suspected child abuse and exploitation images associated with an Instagram account, according to court documents obtained by NBC10. Investigators determined the images were of child porn and they identified the person behind the account as McGurk.

Officials say McGurk shared more than 1,000 images of children engaged in sex acts.

“Very scary. I have grandchildren myself and it’s a little scary," Margaret Toscano, who works in Ventnor, said.

“It’s very disturbing as the mayor of the city as well as a mother and a parent,” Ventnor City Mayor Beth Holtzman said.

McGurk was a laborer with Ventnor’s public works department and has worked for the city since 2013. Holtzman told NBC10 he was immediately suspended without pay when they learned of the allegations.

Holtzman said there’s no indication that McGurk used any city-owned equipment while sharing the child porn. He’s scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on Wednesday.

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