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MICHIGAN CITY — A LaPorte County sheriff's office civilian employee has been arrested on charges of child pornography, police said.

Joseph Lopez, 55, of Michigan City, was arrested by Michigan City police at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Lopez was charged with possession of child pornography, a level 6 felony, the Michigan City Police Department said.

Lopez has been an employee at the LaPorte County sheriff’s office for 18 years, Sheriff John Boyd said.

Lopez was initially assigned to the LaPorte County Jail as a correctional employee and was most recently assigned to work in courthouse security.

“He had limited powers that were specific and limited to his duties at the court houses,” Boyd said.

Upon his arrest, Lopez was suspended without pay and has since been terminated from the sheriff’s office, Boyd said.