CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former southern New Jersey police officer has admitted obstructing the FBI’s investigation of his alleged possession of child pornography.

Robert Waterman, a 31-year-old Wrightstown resident who served with the Pennsville police force, entered his plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Camden. He faces up to 20 years when he’s sentenced April 18.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said the FBI began a criminal investigation of Waterman in March 2010.

After he was interviewed by federal agents, Waterman removed a computer hard drive from his garage and later destroyed it while in his patrol car at police headquarters. He admitted doing that in a bid to impede the FBI’s investigation.

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