New Haven Man Charged in 2008 Child Porn Case

A New Haven man and former Cheshire resident is facing charges after an investigation in 2008 revealed that he was in possession of more than 20 images of child pornography while already on probation.

Cheshire police this week charged Robert Perna, now a resident of 728 Elm St. in New Haven, with second-degree possession of child pornography. Perna, 59, had turned himself over to police at New Haven Superior Court on Wednesday and was arraigned on the charges, police said.

"The case stems from an investigation into information that police received in 2008," a press release from the Cheshire Police Department. "He was on probabtion at the time and living in Cheshire."

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According to brief police report, investigators seized Perna's computer and later conducted a forensic analysis on it after obtaining court search warrants. The investigation uncovered over 20 photos of an underage victim in sexually provocative positions, police said.

Police did not say whether there was one or more victims, nor whether the victim or victims were known to Perna.

Further details of the case were not immediately available as the case has been sealed under a court order due to the involvement of a minor or minors in the investigation, court officials said.

Perna's criminal history includes a 2007 conviction for second-degree breach of peace, a 2008 conviction for violation of probation and 2009 convictions for both second-degree breach of peace and violation of probation. He served 120 days in prison for the previous conviction.

According to court records, Perna was released from custody on a promise to appear following arraignment and is due in Meriden Superior Court on Feb. 27.

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