WSU research tech arrested on suspicion of child pornography

Pullman police arrested a Washington State University employee Friday on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

WSU research technician Robert M. Long, 56, was arrested in his office at Clark Hall, according to police. He is accused of uploading content of minors engaged in sexual acts.

The Pullman and Moscow police departments worked with an Internet Crimes Against Children detective and conducted a lengthy investigation, according to a news release.

Long was booked at Whitman County Jail on first-degree charges of possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and dealing of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Each charge has a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

WSU spokesman Phil Weiler said Long had no interaction with children on campus. Long hasn’t been fired from his job, Weiler said, but isn’t allowed back at WSU pending the outcome of his case.