Former Harris County deputy arrested on federal child porn charges

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A former Harris County Sheriff's deputy accused of performing a sex act with an animal faces even more charges.[br /][br /]Andrew Sustaita, 30, was arrested Thursday on a federal charge of production of child pornography, adding to the state child porn charges and obscenity charge he already faces.[br /][Ads /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/news/harris-county-deputy-accused-of-obscenity/1694317/" TARGET="" REL=""]ORIGINAL REPORT: HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY ACCUSED OF FILMING SEX ACT WITH SMALL DOG[br /][/url][/b][br /][br /]Sustaita was relieved of duty Jan. 9 for allegedly posting a video of himself involved in a sex act with a small dog. Investigators confiscated his computer and found more than 200 images involving children, according to court documents. His termination from the department was effective Jan. 25.[br /][br /]"Sex crimes against children are especially heinous, particularly when they are allegedly perpetrated by a member of the Harris County Sheriff's Office," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a statement. "We will continue to devote all necessary resources to ensure those who victimize children are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."[br /][Ads /][br /]If convicted of the federal charge, Sustaita could face up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He would also be required to register as a sex offender.[br /][br /]Investigators were originally tipped about obscene material coming from an account owned by Harris County.[br /][br /]Sustaita is expected in federal court Friday.