BUFFALO, NY - Authorities with the New York State Police (NYSP) have announced that the vice president of the Buffalo chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse has been arrested for sex crimes against children.
According to reports, 49-year-old John Todaro, of Amherst, New York, was arrested and charged on Wednesday, April 9th with possession of child pornography and disseminating child porn. Under state law, charges of promoting sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child are both felonies.
Todaro is the vice president and an active member of the Bikers Against Child Abuse Buffalo Chapter. He was arraigned in the town of Amherst Court and was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court sometime in May. Police said that in his role with Bikers Against Child Abuse, Todaro would have had opportunities to be around children and child victims of sex.
Bikers Against Child Abuse, or B.A.C.A, is an international organization of motorcycle riders that works to create a safer environment for abused children. The nonprofit group works with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. The B.A.CA. website says, "We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse.
We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle." To join the organization, the group requires prospective members to be at least 18-years-old, agree to a full background check, attend monthly meetings, bike rides, court hearings, and other events.
The organization's mission statement says, "We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence."
NYSP said Todaro was found to be in possession of child porn after an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. The ICAC Task Force works to identify individuals who attempt to lure children to meet for sex or those disseminating child sexual abuse material. According to the Miami Herald, the Bikers Against Child Abuse's Buffalo Chapter states that Todaro used the nickname "Doc." In a statement, the organization's Buffalo chapter said Todaro is no longer a member of the group.
The statement said, "We are deeply troubled by the charges brought against a former member of our organization. The reported actions represent a serious breach of the values and mission we uphold. Such behavior is unacceptable to our organization and stands in direct violation of our strict code of conduct. Upon learning of the allegations, our leadership took immediate and decisive action to permanently remove the individual from our organization."
Authorities ask anyone with information on Todaro to call state police at 585-344-6200. Suspect child exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline online or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
