The owner of a Morris County magic shop and theatre has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Wednesday.
Scott Morley, 48, of Butler, was charged May 15 with one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and was released after a detention hearing, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Morley was the owner of Morley’s Magic Theatre on Boonton Avenue in Butler. The business is now closed and a phone number listed for the shop was out of service Wednesday.
Morley’s attorney Robert A. Bianchi said Wednesday afternoon that Morley planned to plead not guilty and that the law office was in the process of collecting information.
Authorities launched an investigation after the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received an anonymous tip that Morley may have been in possession of child pornography, officials said.
A warrant to search Morley’s electronic devices led to the charges, authorities said.
Morley is prohibited from unsupervised use of the internet, no unsupervised contact with minors and he cannot leave the state under the terms of his pre-trial release.
An attorney for Morley did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
