NEW BRUNSWICK — A Rutgers University instructor was arrested Tuesday on charges that he used a university computer to share hundreds of videos of child pornography over the internet, according to the state Attorney General's Office.



Gavin Swiatek, 49, a biochemistry instructor on the Rutgers University Cook Campus in New Brunswick, was taken into custody at his home in Hillsborough and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, the office said in a news release.



"Those who view and distribute child pornography contribute to the tragic exploitation of children, because they fuel the demand that drives suppliers to produce these abhorrent materials," Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said in a statement.



An investigation by the State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit found that Swiatek was allegedly using peer-to-peer file sharing to exchange hundreds of files, mostly videos, of children, according to the release.



Detectives seized his office computer, as well as a laptop and other digital media from him and his home, the release said. He is being held on $50,000 bail in Middlesex County Jail as prosecutors seek a state grand jury indictment.



"Some would believe that what they view in private will never become public, but when it comes to victimizing children, we will work to expose every illegal act," State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said in a statement.



The university said in a statement that Swiatek has been relieved from his teaching duties and barred from returning to campus. Officials are considering further action, including whether or not he will be fired, the statement said.



An attorney for Swiatek could not immediately be reached for comment. If convicted, Swiatek faces a maximum 10 years in state prison.