PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer accused of receiving and possessing thousands of images of child pornography remains detained by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Alaa Bartley, 41, was in court next to his attorney Tuesday for the first time since he couldn't be transported to court a couple of weeks ago. 12News was told Bartley was not transported to his court hearing because of medical reasons.
On Tuesday, Bartley answered questions from the judge regarding waiving court hearings to reach the judge’s decision to keep Bartley detained by the U.S. Marshals Service. The judge said the decision came due to "instability" and concern that Bartley was a flight risk.
The indictment released this week by federal prosecutors charges the police officer with 12 counts that include the offenses of attempted production of child pornography, attempted coercion of a minor and distributing or possessing child pornography.
The maximum penalty for one count of possessing child pornography is a 20-year prison sentence. A charge of attempted child porn production can result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
The charges Bartley faces date back to 2019 and stem from communications with an adult woman who allegedly shared child sex abuse images with him.
Federal court documents reveal the FBI found 49,000 images and more than 700 videos, many of which were identified as child pornography.
Retired internet crimes against children detective, Richard Wistocki, told 12News in general that he’s seen charges in these types of cases change as investigators keep combing through evidence.
“Not saying in every case, but can be what they call a situational child molester,” Wistocki said. “So what happens is when there could be a sleepover, sometimes when they’re in a position of trust and authority, they have a wide range of victims. And they will wait and contemplate because the images and videos don’t do it for them. So they have to get a real victim.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment when 12News asked if prosecutors are considering different or additional charges in Bartley’s case.
Bartley’s attorney also declined to comment following Bartley’s hearing on Tuesday.
12News asked the Phoenix Police Department about Bartley’s status as an officer, however, the department has not responded.
At last communication from Phoenix police, Bartley, who’s been on the force for more than 16 years, was going through the disciplinary process up to and including termination.
The department has also not responded to 12News’ requests if Bartley’s past cases involving children are being examined.