Southold Town Worker Charged With Child Porn

Federal authorities have arrested a former Democratic candidate for Southold Town Supervisor for allegedly sharing child porn on the internet. 

Damon Rallis, a longtime building permits examiner for the North Fork town, was arrested Tuesday and charged with distribution of child pornography. During a bail hearing at Central Islip federal court, U.S. Magistrate Anne Shields ordered he be placed under house arrest pending trial.

“The defendant’s alleged attraction to this is even more alarming given his position as a Boy Scout leader,” U.S. Assistant District Attorney Paul Scotti told the court while requesting Rallis be held without bail. He noted that hidden cameras were also found in Rallis’ house, including in his bathroom.

In arguing for home detention as an alternative to pre-trial incarceration, Rallis’ attorney, Lakeytria Felder, argued that Rallis is not a danger to the community and is high-risk for coronavirus due to a medical condition.

“There are no allegations that Mr. Rallis has touched any child…[or] harmed any child,” she added.

Rallis was also a former code enforcement officer, ex-editor of the Traveler-Watchman, and previously ran for Southold Town Assessor. He earns $76,260 annually, according to payroll records. The Suffolk Times first reported the arrest.

The town did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rallis faces up to five years in prison, if convicted.

Rallis wife, Joanna told the court, “All of this is insane to me.”