Child pornography charges against a Pleasantville principal were upgraded Thursday, after it was determined he had more than 1,000 images.
Edward Bonek, 48, was arrested Wednesday at his Absecon home. On Thursday, he had his first appearance via video from the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
He will stay there until at least Tuesday, when a detention hearing will determine whether he is released or held pending his case.
It is alleged Bonek used the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file-sharing network to distribute the files.
The High School principal also allegedly used a school district-issued computer to distribute photos and videos of child abuse images. He faces charge of official misconduct.
Bonek was originally charged with second-degree counts of endangering for distribution and possession of the images and video. But after it was determined that there were more than 1,000 images found, the charges were upgraded to first-degree.
Bonek just completed his first full year as principal at the high school.
He was interim principal last year, and Alston said he recommended him for the full-time position.
Bonek served as a vice principal before that.
