Rochester Music Teacher Charged With Production Of Child Pornography

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Philip M. Close, 42, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant owns the Close School of Music on West Ridge Road in the Town of Parma, which offers private music lessons to children and adults of all ages. Close has been teaching music lessons throughout New York State for over 20 years.

According to the complaint, on December 5, 2019, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received information from a mother with two children taking lessons at the Close School of Music, that a video camera was attached to the toilet in the bathroom. The parent indicated that earlier that day, while waiting for her child (Minor Victim 1) to finish her music lesson, she used the bathroom. While in the bathroom, the mother observed a small black camera lens facing towards the toilet seat, and a small metallic-looking piece hanging from a wire off of the toilet. The mother grabbed and pulled the wires and found a camera-device and wires taped to the bottom of the toilet with black electrical tape. After finding this camera device, she removed it from the bottom of the toilet, and proceeded to contact 911.

A Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy reported to the Close School of Music and spoke with the defendant who acknowledged that the device was his. Close was taken into custody.

On December 6, 2019, a search warrant was executed at the music school and multiple digital computing devices were seized, including a laptop computer. A preliminary review of the laptop located three videos of Minor Victim 1. One of the videos included Minor Victim 1 using the toilet. Another video shows Minor Victim 1 laying down on a piano bench and Close’s leg. The defendant is seen moving Minor Victim 1’s shirt up to expose her stomach and touching her stomach. Close then begins to touch other parts of Minor Victim 1’s body. Minor Victim 1 is seen sliding under the piano in what appears to be an attempt to prevent the defendant from touching any further.

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was held pending a detention hearing on December 17, 2019.

Members of the public who have specific information related to this case are asked to call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Tipline at 1-585-753-4175.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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