Charges of disseminating child pornography were filed against a decorated Florida policeman on Wednesday after undercover federal agents collected evidence in his home and on his smartphone.

Officer Michael Harding from Port Saint Lucie, Florida, was a recipient of the "Officer of the Year" award four years ago when he was stationed at Fort Pierce.

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Federal authorities caught Harding in July uploading pornographic materials via his smartphone while supposedly patrolling his assigned route. Investigators claim the police officer was using an app called Kik to post the pictures.

Federal agents got a warrant to enter and search the policeman's residence on Tuesday. They confiscated a USB drive that allegedly contains numerous "sexually explicit" materials involving children. Local media reported that the arrested policeman has a wife and three children.

Harding's superior, chief of police John Bolduc, told reporters that they will be upset with him if it turns out that the charges prove to be true in court. Bolduc said that Harding passed the series of test needed to be become a policeman in Port Saint Lucie. During his stint at the Fort Pierce police department, he was able to apprehend 76 drunk drivers during his patrol, which earned him the Officer of the Year award.

Doctor Mark Ellinger, a psychologist, told reporters that people like Harding may have the skill to manipulate their way around a polygraph test.

Harding is currently under detention and no bail is allowed. He is scheduled to appear in court to answer the charges against him next week. Pending the outcome of the investigation, he is also under administrative leave but without the benefit of receiving his salary.

Legal experts believe that Harding may try to make a deal with the prosecutors for lighter punishment considering the evidence collected by federal agents against him. There is also the possibility that the accused policeman will tell the court that he was not mentally stable during the that time.

A number of policemen in the U.S. have recently been arrested for various charges ranging from distribution of child pornography materials to rape.

Tagschild pornography, Child abuse, michael harding, Port Saint Lucie, Fort Pierce, Florida police officer, Officer of the year, App Kik, police officer arrested, Florida police