Officer sentenced on child porn charges

NORFOLK, Va. - A former Portsmouth Police officer was sentenced in Norfolk Federal court Friday to 15 years in prison for possession of child pornography.

Paul Alonzo Ewing, 38, pleaded guilty in June to three counts of possession of child pornography.

The court proceedings revealed that on September 29, 2008, Portsmouth police seized personal computers and other media from Ewing’s home. At the time of the seizure, Ewing was a police officer with the Portsmouth Police Department.

An investigation showed at least 150 images of a known victim of child pornography in Ewing's possession.

Following the initial investigation by Portsmouth police, the FBI followed up with their own investigation.

Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey L. Bryant was appointed by the Portsmouth Circuit Court to prosecute the case due to a conflict between Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney, Earl Mobley, and Ewing.