A former Aberdeen-Matawan girls' softball coach who teaches at two colleges faces a pile of child-pornography-related charges, and Monmouth investigators believe that there may be more victims than they currently know.

Robert S. Berardo (Monmouth Co. Dept. of Corrections)
Robert S. Berardo (Monmouth Co. Dept. of Corrections)
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Robert S. Berardo, 56, of Aberdeen, is charged with second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a child for disttibution of child pornography and endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, and a third-degree charge of endangering the welfare of a child for possession of child pornography.

He was placed in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, with bail set at a full $110,000. HIs release is also conditional upon orders to avoid using the Internet and to avoid contact with children below the age of 18.

A spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office did not divulge details Berardo's Thursday arrest, how he rose to their attention, the formats of the alleged images, how many hard drives or computers might be entailed, the length of time he is suspected of engaging in the practice, or whether a file-sharing network is involved.

If convicted at trial for the more serious second-degree counts, Berardo would be at risk of five to 10 years' imprisonment for each.

According to the office of Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni, Berardo serves as an adjunct professor at Middlesex County College and Raritan Valley College, and formerly taught at Monmouth University.

Berardo also coached in the Aberdeen-Matawan Recreation girls' softball league from 2001 until 2008, and coached the Aberdeen-Matawan Rec travel girls' softball team from 2008 to 2009, authorities said.

Gramiccioni issued Berardo's image in order to urge any unfound victims to step forward.

Anonymous, confidential reports can be entered at the Monmouth County Crimestoppers web page; by texting "MONMOUTH" and the information to 274637; or by calling the Crimestoppers tip line, 1-800-671-4400.

Investigators ask anyone with information about Berardo's activities while coaching girls' softball for Aberdeen-Matawan Rec to call Detective Brian Migliorisi, 732-431-7160, extension 7185.

Criminal charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

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